With Ezra and Tansy slinking off into the night, and into their limo to return to the gilded cages with new understandings, Casey took a long deep breath. His hand holding Trisha wrapped into her side and held her close, his head tilting to the side as it turned fully to kiss the top of her head.

[color=577d06]”At least the worst part of the night is over. I’m… Sorry they didn’t stay to see us. I guess I really didn’t help, clamming up like that there. I can understand if you’re mad at me… I’m sorry. But, that was a really beautiful thing you just said. About, y’know, not needing their approval. I think it’s your strongest statement yet.”[/color] he admitted, trying his best to fill Trisha back up with confidence wherever an open pit may be lingering.

Trisha tilted her head slightly, turning to properly face Casey and snaking her arms around him. When had he clammed up? Oh… Back at the table? 
[color=d1b300]“I’m not mad at you. You weren’t the one that started shit, it’s not fair we’re expected to deal with and stop it.”[/color]

She smiled slightly, trying her best to take what he said and hold onto the brief confidence she’d managed to feel. It was less confidence, and more not letting the panic take over for once. It was difficult… But she’d managed to in response to both of her siblings. She wasn’t sure if she could back it up the next time she saw either of them- if she saw them again- but it was a start. A big step for her, really.

[color=d1b300]“Thank you… I told you, didn’t I? That I wouldn’t let them get to me tonight… When I asked for a ring. I didn’t even need it on! I just… I’m not going to let them get in the way of us. You’re the family I chose, after all, not them.”[/color]

Casey nodded enthusiastically, one hand coming down to grip hers as he looked at her with a glow in his eyes.


[color=577d06]”Trisha, if we didn’t have plans, I’d drop to one knee and find a priest to marry us [i]right the fuck now.[/i] I love you [i]so[/i] much. You are the family I’ll choose every single fucking time.”[/color] he admitted with great fervor before hugging her tight to him. Maybe it was just the moment, but the affection flowed from him like water.

Trisha blushed, little giddy giggles escaping her lips. She was able to ignore all those little anxieties- that the thought of actually [i]marrying[/i] so quickly brought up- to just enjoy the warmth it brought her. Because they weren’t going to, but he wanted to. He loved her enough to want to do it… 

[color=d1b300]“I love you so much too, Casey. If… If we hadn’t already agreed to wait with that, I’d say fuck it!”[/color] She tilted her head back to smile lovingly up at him, so completely soft in the moment.
[color=d1b300]“I think Cass would kill me if we eloped… Now or ever. I think she’s already started planning my bachelorette… Or Hen Do, as she keeps calling it. It’s only been a few hours! She’s just assumed she’ll be in my wedding party as well…”[/color]

She would be, of course, but that was beside the point. Still blushing, she pressed her face against Casey’s chest. 
[color=d1b300]“I really do love you more than anything else…”[/color]

He let himself sit there with her for a long moment as he watched the Limos pull out of the parking lot completely, Ezra’s pulling out with some haste involved. Bastard… Casey hoped he had a hard time sleeping for the next few weeks. Maybe it was evil of him, but after [i]that?[/i] He’d never bought everyone deserving peace and safety to begin with, but such duplicity didn’t even exist in the Temple… 

At least, he assumed. For all the personal plotting, people still tended to wear their hearts on their sleeves. And coming from that to the Military, then going back into that kind of environment, made him all the more detestful toward people like [i]Ezra Vanburen.[/i]

But finally he cleared his throat and patted Trisha’s arm.

[color=577d06]”D’you wanna go back to the table? We can hide until my turn comes.”[/color] Casey offered gently.

[color=d1b300]“How long until your turn?”[/color] Trisha asked back, gaze drifting back towards the table. She didn’t really want to go back right now. Especially not after what happened with Tansy… She struggled with that much attention even when it was positive. It was probably too much to hope that nobody would bring it up. And she’d already have to deal with all that for the proposal- which she’d prepared for. 

[color=d1b300]“Let’s hide… I don’t feel like there’s anyone I need to save anymore. Cass is the only non Temple member left, and she’ll be fine!”[/color] After saying that, Trisha tilted her head up towards Casey with a joking pout.
[color=d1b300]“You said she wasn’t coming! I told her- and Ed- this morning for no reason!”[/color]

Casey raised his hands to ward her off playfully.
[color=577d06]”Woah, yell at the Wolf guy about that. I didn’t know until it was too late to tell you… Meaning, like, this morning when he told me she was coming. We were getting changed for the Mass.”[/color] he giggled, pulling away from her just to let their fingers lock together so they couldn’t drift too far while walking.

Not that he was planning on actually hiding. He could feel White Eyes staring at the two of them from afar. Dozens, maybe hundreds of sets of eyes that weren’t either of theirs. It was telling that his Mother’s clan wasn’t actually included in any of the family events like the Richoux… But, he knew his cousins from the Mauteo were out there. Most he’d hardly ever met. They didn’t seem to want to really approach him anyway, which…

[color=577d06]”Can I tell you another weird secret? Maybe it’ll creep you out; I know this kind of stuff usually does, but it makes me kind of happy in a weird way.”[/color] he asked her politely.

Trisha’s brow furrowed slightly. Weird like… How weird? Though, it wasn’t really a question of whether she said yes or not… She always would. She wanted to know everything about him after all, even if she was more reluctant to share everything about herself. 

[color=d1b300]“Go ahead. I’ll try not to get too creeped out… If it’s you, I think I can manage.”[/color] She answered with a slight smile, squeezing his hand. She couldn’t even begin to guess what he was going to say right now, so it wasn’t like she could actually guarantee what her reaction would be.


[color=577d06]”Well… Not like you can [i]really[/i] guarantee that. Uh… Lynette’s whole side of the family? Well, half of her side. My GiGi, her Mom. Though, she’s been gone a few years. So, I assume its her cousins. It does explain why ol’ Snippy’s so calm.”[/color] he pointed down at the boarding, referring back to the massive ancient crab beneath.

[color=577d06]”But, uh… Well, they’re a solitary bunch. Kind of. I like to call them Native Ninjas. But, the whole surveillance thing is a learned behavior. They all talk to one another through Lux, like the rule is you don’t get to talk out loud. Anyway… Uh, well-”[/color]

He lifted his free hand, spinning it around in the air.

[color=577d06]”They’re all watching everything. There’s more here this year than there’s ever been before. If you press the surrounding area with your Emotional Field, you’ll feel it brush up against hundreds of pairs of eyes in the sky. I’m trying to figure out if they’re here to protect her? Or just to see her off… I’m certain that she’s not the only one having premonitions about what’s going to happen in the Tribe.”[/color] he admitted.

[color=d1b300]“Oh…”[/color] Trisha couldn’t quite suppress a shudder, glancing around as if she’d see any of the spying eyes. She didn’t actually press out with her Emotional Field, because she didn’t really [i]want[/i] to feel it. It did creep her out in the same way Lynette watching always did. Was it better or worse that it was people she didn’t know at all? She wasn’t sure… 

[color=d1b300]“That does creep me out.”[/color] She admitted honestly, rather than trying to hide it. Not that she was very good at hiding how she felt anyway.
[color=d1b300]“I figured there’d be a few watching eyes, but not that many. Surely they… can’t protect her if the future’s set in stone? That’s how premonitions work?”[/color]

She shook her head. 
[color=d1b300]“I’m not creeped out by you, so… Uh… Well, why does it make you kind of happy?”[/color]

[color=577d06]”They showed up, they’re quiet and respectful. And they’re family. I can feel when they see me, and I can even feel that some of them want to connect with me. But, uh… Y’know, whatever code they live by prevents it. And I respect that, so I don’t push just like they don’t push. But I know they know me. Probably because Mom tells everyone everything, because she’s a big deal to them too…”[/color] he smiled, rubbing her shoulder.

[color=577d06]”And, the other thought is that if anything [i]does[/i] go wrong tonight, we’ve got extra help. It’s comforting thinking that they’re as ready to square up as my own people.”[/color] he laughed.

Trisha nodded slowly.
[color=d1b300]“I guess I can understand a bit that way. I still don’t like the spying… Even if it’s just normal to them. But it could be worse, they could be in our face about it.”[/color] She shrugged. 

[color=d1b300]“I guess it’s a bit like… That ideal you talked about? The benevolent surveying thing. Not that it’s necessarily benevolent, but I guess if they watch and then help if something goes wrong it’s not… Too bad.”[/color] She was trying to make herself not feel too uncomfortable about it. At least, no more uncomfortable than she already did knowing Lynette could be watching their every move. 

[color=577d06]”There’s a lot to take in. They’re a bit like dogs in new places; there’s just so much to see and smell. Plus, Snips gives off pretty crazy vibes for them. Must be why it’s so damn calm at the moment, now that I think of it.”[/color]

As they circled the edge of the platform, Casey was making a purposeful rotation back toward where the food was. He’d not exactly had his fill, and with everything that had happened, he was far more focused on dealing with the moment to moment drama than enjoying a nice meal.

He started laughing involuntarily, looking at Trisha with a slightly embarrassed expression.

[color=577d06]”I… I think for the first time in a very long time, Junior made a joke at someone else’s expense who actually deserved it a little. And I [i]really[/i] wanted to laugh when- Well, I’m still sorry he did that… But, [i]my God…[/i]”[/color] Casey chordled.

[color=d1b300]“With the constructs? She did deserve it.”[/color] Trisha asked, trying to think of any actual joke Junior had made. She’d been too stressed to find anything funny, really. She was the one that’d have to deal with-

[color=d1b300]“Fuck, Tansy’s going to [i]remember[/i]!”[/color] She stopped suddenly, looking at Casey with wide eyes. 
[color=d1b300]“I- Well- I don’t really like mind wiping or anything, but her being… Third Eye open… is… not great…”[/color]

[color=577d06]”I’m not gonna lie, Babe, I think it’s… Well, maybe honestly the best thing for her. Hopefully with Magic in her eyes, she’ll see the world from a new perspective. Whatever it is, it’ll be more grounded than whatever airbag she is right now.”[/color] he shrugged slightly.

[color=577d06]”But, yeah. The constructs. I honestly didn’t think he kept his Orange Lux in practice for stuff like that. That’s… Maybe a little worrisome for later.”[/color] Casey shook his head.

[color=577d06]”Not that I’m worried, obviously. [i]Hey…[/i] Do you want to uh… Dance a little?”[/color] he nodded his head out into the vague darkness, where a gathering of people had formed an impromptu slow dance area. There were even a few people playing instruments.

[color=577d06]”Some of the cousins. They’re not gonna bother us, unless… I forget, do you- No. Nooooo, you don’t speak [i]French![/i] You’re safe!”[/color] he grinned, slightly tucking himself to gently suggest her path.

Trisha didn’t agree that knowledge of magic would change Tansy in any way, but she held back a comment on it. She didn’t want to even get close to an argument over someone she was trying her best not to care about. It making her more grounded was… A little funny to think about. Magic itself wasn’t exactly grounded. 

She followed his nod towards the small gathering while letting him guide her that way. She wasn’t really a dancer… Not without a few drinks in her, at least. Normally that was when clubbing and she either had a goal in mind- flirting with someone- or was being dragged onto the dance floor by Cass. 

[color=d1b300]“As long as you don’t mind me stepping on your feet, sure.”[/color] She smiled back. Though, the kind of dancing the people were doing didn’t look… like much at all. Just holding and swaying and moving a bit. That she could do. 

[color=d1b300]“This isn’t my normal crowd.”[/color] She joked as they got closer, still smiling.
[color=d1b300]“Not because their French… I normally only dance at clubs! But I guess that might change? I don’t really plan on going clubbing that often anymore.”[/color]

There was a rousing [i]”Caseau!”[/i] as the little group greeted him. Casey only took a moment to get them all acquainted with the fact that he was just there to dance. Nobody seemed to mind, save for one of the older looking people among them who pulled a flask out and was practically stuffing it into Casey’s hand.

Not that he’d deny it or anything. Casey grinned and took a few swigs before passing it to Trisha.

[color=577d06]”I usually only dance with, y’know- The Brass used to organize dances and shit for GI’s on leave. They’d invite a bunch of young ladies who wanted to give the lonely troops a night of company, and they’d basically just dance and listen to us tell stories. Felt like a hostess club, I imagine. There was always [i]plenty[/i] of liquor for us to loosen up with. So, that’s how I get through the feet stomping.”[/color] he grinned.

[color=d1b300]“You need alcohol to deal with my feet, huh?!”[/color] Trisha pouted teasingly, taking just one swig- with a slight grimace- before handing it back. As she did, one of her feet moved forward to step on his. It was purposefully light- but even if it wasn’t, she wasn’t exactly heavy enough to do any damage. At least, not with the front of her feet. The low heels were a bit pointier…

Then she stepped back with a little smirk, hands moving to his shoulders.
[color=d1b300]“Since you’re so [i]experienced[/i], you can show me how to do it.”[/color]

His hands wrapped around her waist, and when he cleared his throat, the musicians in charge of pace politely slowed things down. Less of a ballroom and more of a slow dance, with the various couples and otherwise close companions tightening up their circles in response. It was, as Trisha presumed, a nice and slow paced circling. And, for once, with a group who didn’t want either of their attention more than necessary. 

As soon as the flask got passed back to where it belonged, nobody had a word to say to Casey. Only flashing smiles and acknowledgement.

[color=577d06]”The… The other thing, about all the silent watchers? I… I get comfort knowing they’re family. Like these guys. We don’t talk, I barely know them; but we don’t have to know one another to be friendly and recognize commonality. There’s no pressure coming from anywhere. Maybe I could be sad I don’t know them better, but the fact that they recognize me and greet me, no matter how shallow, is enough to make me feel warm. And I get sad, I guess… Thinking about how [i]that whole thing just went down.[/i] I think we could all recognize how it seemed like… Well, like they didn’t want to interact with [i]you[/i] anymore than they did [i]us.[/i]”[/color] Casey softly explained, the final comment lingering in the air.

[color=d1b300]“They don’t want to interact with me.”[/color] Trisha replied bluntly, eyes dimming slightly. A hint of coldness, though not towards Casey. It wasn’t just a seemed like, it was absolutely reality. Maybe it wasn’t fair. But maybe it was her fault in the first place for directing her resentment towards her siblings growing up. 

But Ezra and Tansy had already been adults by the time Trisha really understood what her Mother was feeding her, and started pushing back at her Father and the perceived problems. When did it start? When she was seven and tried to push the six year old Georgiana down the stairs, maybe? 

[color=d1b300]“Well, Tansy kind of does. She enjoys [i]torturing[/i] me. Ezra sends me more money monthly just so he doesn’t have to talk to me. The three sisters I lived with… Well, Sabrina was nice enough. I don’t think she has the ability to not be nice. But I don’t think she actually liked me.” Who would?[/color]

She paused, looking out from their little bubble at the others around them. Distant family to Casey… she didn’t have the same in any way. It was either half-siblings who hated her, or cousins in a different country who didn’t care for her outside of the gossip they might get. She barely knew her Mother’s side of the family just like Casey barely knew these guys, but there was none of the same friendliness. 

[color=d1b300]“It’s what happens when one man has over twenty children with different women. Everyone is closer to their Mother’s side, or just doesn’t like anyone at all.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”There was no love to begin with…”[/color] he frowned, pulling her in just a little tighter.
[color=577d06]”We’re never gonna let things be like that. Even if you wanted to have children with nineteen other men, I’d make sure my child knew what love was… As fucked up as everything around us was, there were always moments of love in between the discipline. It’s where my nostalgia comes from, for my White magic. It’s a necessary part of the Tribe.”[/color] he shrugged.

Knowing that Tansy’s only motive was to break what she disliked made him feel terrible about how she’d been brought here. Sure, [i]they[/i] got a great deal of fun listening to her over the various bugs Lynette had managed to plant. Getting second hand information from her perspective made it all so much better, given her terribly aggressive yet completely veiled private attitude. 

It was pretty funny to know that she kept the mask on in private. Like it wasn’t a mask, but just a fleshy covering that she could never really rip off.

[color=577d06]”Whose Tansy’s Mom? That family’s gotta be a nightmare to be a part of.”[/color] he asked cursorily, imagining what kind of nightmare cult bred that devil into the world.

[color=d1b300]“No idea. Maybe she had her and left, maybe she was adopted. She’s… thirteen years older than me, so if her Mom was ever around, it wasn’t in my memory.”[/color] Trisha shrugged one shoulder. All the suggestions she was adopted had led Tansy to getting some kind of test… Which she said showed she wasn’t, but never shared the actual results. Trisha didn’t care. Tansy would always be her nightmare older half-sister, blood or not. 

[color=d1b300]“Far as I can remember she was always attached to Dad. He had favourites that he actually spent time with. Tansy and Sabrina mostly… I think Brooke too? Tansy was the worst for it.”[/color] She explained as neutrally as she could. There was some jealousy there, as much as she didn’t want to admit it. Sure, Tansy didn’t have a Mom around, but she got a lion’s share of James’ attention. 

Only Ezra got a similar amount, but that had never seemed [i]positive[/i] to Trisha. It was far more similar to the attention she’d gotten from Maria growing up. 
[color=d1b300]“Maybe Tansy actually spawned into existence from hell, or something.”[/color] 

Casey’s face twisted into a surprised smile.
[color=577d06]”I was [i]literally[/i] just about to say that. She’s clearly an Apparition he spawned! She fills all the boxes! Shows up when it’s least convenient, speaks in riddles- It’s foolproof. She’s either a ghost, [i]or[/i] she’s some rich guy’s test tube baby experiment where he got some Blind genetics company to turn his sperm into an egg so it could self-fertilize. Like… Well, does that sound on brand for him?”[/color] Casey asked, unable to stop himself from chordling after trying to trap his lips between his teeth.

Trisha shook her head. 
[color=d1b300]“If he could do that, he probably would’ve skipped getting tens of women pregnant and made us all like that. Though he probably [i]wanted[/i] loads of different… genes…”[/color] She made a face at that. It was gross to think about. That really they were all [i]experiments[/i] or something. Because he could have found someone who wanted ten children or whatever… Surely they existed.

[color=d1b300]“I wish she was an Apparition. Then we could seal her in something and throw it into the sea. But I don’t think she is… Maybe Dad really did make one of us all by himself. It would explain why he loved her so much when he’d rarely give the rest of us the time of day.”[/color]

Casey nodded in return, giving her a wink.
[color=577d06]”Doesn’t it make a lot of sense? Unless-”[/color]
His brow furrowed, and his grin became a more somber frown.
[color=577d06]”-Was ol’ Chuck a sentimental kind of guy? Maybe she was his Jane Seymour.”[/color] Casey implied like a grim portent.

His only extrapolated thought was as to whether or not Trisha would even be here if that had been the case. Surely, nobody knew whether or not Henry would’ve grown bored of Jane… It was only a few weeks after the Prince was born that she died, after all.

Trisha laughed immediately, shaking her head. 
[color=d1b300]“No. Dad pretended to be sentimental and [i]magnanimous[/i] or whatever, but he wasn’t in that way. I have a brother eight months younger than Tansy, so, if you do the math…”[/color] She trailed off, expression going from twisted humour to disdain. 

There was a sister eight months younger than Trisha herself. Or was it seven? It didn’t matter. It was common… Probably more common than they knew, because there were women James got pregnant who didn’t tell him or exchange the child for money. There’d been some years where there seemed to be a surprise sibling every few months… 

 [color=d1b300]“He just wanted to spread his legacy, or something. Maybe it was because she was the oldest girl. She got all the love, while Ezra got trained to take over.”[/color]

Casey’s face went flat.
[color=577d06]”I can’t believe I wasted empathy on that. Fuck, even now she plagues us; as she was trained to.”[/color] 
He started to laugh, his own joke going over well with him.

[color=577d06]”At least it’s all over. Never again! And now, we get to clear things up with this whole Father Wolf situation, and after that, deal with Mum. [i]Then we’re home free, Babe![/i] We can ditch this fucking pit. Go wherever we want, whenever we want.”[/color]

His voice hitched for a brief moment, as did his movements with the music. It brought them totally off-tempo, and he could see her face twisting slightly as she bridled beneath his hands.
[color=577d06]”What? That’s the next step, right? It’s gotta be. We can’t deal with Mum until Leon’s safe, and that means you get the benefit too. [i]That’s all I meant.[/i] Just because the notes are getting picked through, doesn’t mean we know [i]everything.[/i]”[/color] he shrugged, waiting for the next downbeat to try and get them back on track.

Trisha looked up at him with slightly narrowed eyes, expression not relaxing much. As far as she was aware, they didn’t know anything. Sure, it was the next step… But it didn’t seem like something that could be solved in a few months. It seemed far more likely Lynette would die before they found Father Wolf. 

Unless they all knew something she didn’t. Did he? He [i]was[/i] over explaining it. Suspiciously. But maybe it was because he didn’t want to upset her. He was so worried about the possible reaction that he said everything he could to stop it… Frowning, she gnawed on her bottom lip and looked down towards their feet. 

Surely he wouldn’t keep anything Sycamore found from her? Not when it was something that affected her so much. Or did he- and Leon- really not trust her at all? No, it couldn’t be that. 

[color=d1b300]“Have they found… anything from the notes?”[/color] She asked after enough silence that it would be easy enough for Casey to listen and find the right moment to move again.

Casey nodded immediately, eager to at least give up the information he gave Ezra.
[color=577d06]”They did. Leon told me. He had a meeting a couple of days ago, but he’s been sitting on the info trying to figure out what to do with it. Uh- Well, I told Ezra. Because, y’know, he’s a member of the Elite? It seems like whatever group- and it [i]is[/i] a group, apparently- but, whatever group’s responsible for the killings have uh… Well, there’s a [i]lot[/i] more people dead than we previously thought. Only, they’ve been [i]replaced[/i]. Doppelgangers of some kind. Thinking about it now, I get a little creeped out. Makes me glad there’s so many people watching here.”[/color] 

Doppelgangers? That… made sense for how easily they’d killed some fairly powerful Sycamites. If it was someone you ‘trusted’... No wonder she was still alive. Who would they have killed and imitated? Her sisters? Presumably it was easier to kill and replace Blinds, and she had surprisingly few of those around her. 

Not that there were many people at all. 
[color=d1b300]“So they could have replaced Sycamore Members? And probably have… Elite…”[/color] Trisha grimaced. It wasn’t something she wanted to think much about. She didn’t really care for most of the Elite. But the impact it could have was… bad… 

[color=d1b300]“I guess White Lux can probably tell, right? So I guess it is safer to have everyone watching. Though… it’s not like whoever it is would try and kill Leon- and me- here, right? That’s hardly been the style so far. It’s not exactly [i]sneaky[/i] at an event with so many people.”[/color]

Casey grimaced slightly. It was the precise reason that Security was on alert to begin with. He hadn’t anticipated the showout of the Tribe, but everyone else being Glassed up and having pounds of Oblivium Salts around for combat-capable Adepts to utilize in a pinch weren’t coincidences.

[color=577d06]”That [i]might[/i] be why security’s so high?”[/color] his grimace deepened, knowing he’d have explaining to do later.
[color=577d06]”I’m… Sorry. Y’know this kind of thing is why I’m good with you, right? ‘Cuz you’re so good with me? When, y’know, me… Withholding things, and all… Is just because I don’t want you walking around with fear in your heart! We’re still gonna have a good night! Because, y’know, it’s almost over! We’ll be able to go back home soon, with a ring on your finger! And we’ll cuddle, and I’ll start reading you that story!”[/color] he was desperate to make up whatever he could toward her mood.

[color=d1b300]“But you just said that ‘[i]might be why security’s so high[/i]’?! How- How are we meant to have a good night if something happens?”[/color] Trisha’s arms around him tightened as she grew tense. She was trying not to get upset. Really, [i]really[/i] trying. Because she didn’t want to be. 

It… It was fine. If it was just that something [i]might[/i] happen with these Doppelgangers he’d withheld, it was fine. That was to protect her. Like he said, so she didn’t spend the whole evening scared. Not because they didn’t trust her with information. Of course the security would be extra if they didn’t entirely know what they were dealing with! They couldn’t know anything for sure! 

She could deal with it. She could let this one thing go, because she loved him. Sure, he could have told her about the Doppelgangers earlier. But it wasn’t like he was hiding some major Sycamore discovery or plan from her… Just an attack that may not even happen!

[color=d1b300]“You can’t promise any of those things, can you? Because if something happens… Will you even be able to come home?”[/color] She tried to concentrate on the more ‘comforting’ things he said rather than the withheld information. But that pushed her towards panic too. Because would they be able to even do that? Or would she go home alone, because it was his job to deal with this sort of thing?

She closed her eyes for a moment, only looking more upset. 
[color=d1b300]“I… don’t want to get upset with you right now…”[/color] She whispered incredibly quietly. She really didn’t. She was really doing her best to not go into fight or flight mode like she so often would.

[color=577d06]”You’re doing amazing, Bee. I’m sorry. We’re right here together, right? Stay with me here and now.”[/color] he tried to redirect her softly, his voice lowering to a gentle pleading tone.

He felt awful every time something like this happened. At least this one was entirely on him; after all, he’d slipped up. The conversation with Ezra was still echoing in his ears. The problem with St. Portwell. He didn’t want those problems being Trisha’s, it just… Wasn’t fair! It wasn’t, that he [i]had[/i] to hide things from her because her general reaction was just as bad as the one she gave if she found out a week later. The solace of giving her the truth wasn’t some kind of cathartic ritual, it was escaping a minefield just to get funneled into machine guns.

She was lucky that was how he made his living. He hugged into her, hands rubbing her sides and back as he held her close. The smallness of her body never ceased to amaze Casey; how she fit so snugly against him like there was a slot built just for her. He wondered then and there if they should just leave. To Hell with the speech. To Hell with proposing in front of everyone. Just leave, and curl up with that wonderfully warm book on the comfy couch. 

[color=577d06]”I love you… You’re the greatest.”[/color] he intoned quietly, almost keeping it to himself if he hadn’t been looking down at her directly.

For a moment Trisha just hugged into him, not saying anything at all. She was trying to do what he’d asked. Staying with him here and now. Being in the moment and not letting her feelings take over for once. It was hard, after everything else she’d found out today. But she [i]wanted[/i] him to feel like he could tell her things. Why would he if she blew up over something like this?

Something… Not major? Maybe it was major. It was a possible attack. But only possible. And knowing about and dealing with threats like that was his whole job. It was a bit easier if she thought of it as Temple business- work for him- rather than something related to Sycamore and her. 

[color=d1b300]“I love you too.”[/color] She whispered, still buried against him. She didn’t manage to relax, but she didn’t seem so upset as she finally looked up at him again. She’d managed to get over it for now. Whether she’d actually moved forward or just suppressed it to feel resentful over later, she wasn’t sure. 

[color=d1b300]“How much longer do we have? Until your speech, and until we can [i]go home[/i]. I… don’t think we can leave right after… It might look bad? Especially when I’ve already kicked out my own family?”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Soon. Like, soon, really. I speak, Lynette speaks, then Leon concludes the official presiding of the event, so… If you think you can sit through Mom waxing poetic until I go and pull her off the mic, then we’ll stay until the event is ‘over’ for anyone important. Otherwise, I don’t really fuckin’ care. Leon can handle that bit himself, I don’t really need to listen to her talk about how much she’s going to miss everything.” Or how she’d be awaiting the day that she’d see everyone again.[/color]

He was a bit worried over the prospect of what she was going to say. It’s not like [i]she[/i] had to filter what she was saying through him. It was only by his and Leon’s combined effort that they were able to use the scripture and sermonize over what was to come in the way they did. He figured, maybe, it was only fair that she be allowed to say what she wanted. Even if it’d be totally veiled, the siblings had learned to pick it up. 
And the only one sobbing over it was Junior. Because their mother enabled his behavior, and he knew that she was the only thing between him and [i]serious repercussions.[/i] 

[color=577d06]”It really is up to you. Mazie knows the signal, and I can give it from anywhere. We could walk off the stage together, out into the darkness, then be gone in a flash. Your wish is my desire.”[/color] he cooed.

Trisha wasn't immediately sure what she wanted. The true desire was to just go home, but that was covered up by all the anxieties about looking good in front of people. She didn't even care about them that much but… She still cared about what everyone thought. And there were some people she cared about. Cass, Mia, Ed, Hari, Gin…

[color=d1b300]“I think I can suffer through Lynette's speech. If it's just those two, then… we should stay. We can leave as soon as everything is actually done! Then it doesn't look so bad. If there's just Lynette after you and we leave right away…"[/color] She trailed off, biting her lip again. 
[color=d1b300]“It's fine! I- we- can get through it. At least it's just us, Cass and Leon left down at our end?"[/color]

[color=577d06]”Oh, I’m certain someone’s filled the void after we left. Your sister still had food on her plate; there’s no way someone like Gin didn’t make her way up to the box for Lynette cuddles and wind up stuck at Cass with more food to eat.”[/color] he admitted casually, as if he didn’t know [i]exactly[/i] who was sitting in his seat.

[color=577d06]”Y’know she likes you guys more than us? It’d be kind of cute if I didn’t feel like I was losing my other baby sister.”[/color] he joked lightly.[hr]
The gentle dancing was nice; at least once she was [i]vaguely[/i] settled back down. Casey managed to muster enough to casually chat about that it was almost totally distracting from the oncoming pain of the near future. He knew life was going to get harder. Nights like this wouldn’t exist until everything was settled. But, for now, they had one another, and at least she still loved him. He was betting more and more on that lately; that she was crazy about him like he was crazy about her. Probably crazier. 

So, she’d tough it out. And he was confident that their life together after everything was said and done would be way more peaceful than it was now. That secrets wouldn’t need to exist, because there’d be nothing to keep them over. Just love and trust, and peace and quiet. For now, as they made their way back through the main pathway into the dining area after stopping for a few more drinks, the two of them arrived at the table once more.

Before ascending, Casey took Trisha’s hand and kissed it, then helped her up the stairs like a gentleman before letting her go back into her seat.

[color=C67C12]”Uh-oh, Gin! Get real small, maybe he won’t notice!”[/color] Leon intoned conspiratorially across the table.

Ginara, big grin on her face, tucked into a ball on the wide-seated chair as Casey curled over the top of it to look down. Then, back up at Leon.

 [color=577d06]”Notice what?”[/color] he asked, purposefully scooting his chair backward. 
He swung around to sit down, half stuffing himself on top of her ass first. She snorted with laughter, smacking at Casey’s back in turn.

[color=577d06]”Hey Lee! Hey Cass! God, I wonder [i]why[/i] my seat feels so lumpy!”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Whoa, it don't happen to feel like a Ginara shaped lump, does it?! She went missing just a couple of minutes ago!"[/color] Cass laughed, leaning forward with a grin. She twisted her body from side to side as if trying to see what- or who- was under Casey. 

Trisha didn't quite laugh, but she did smile at everyone as she sat down. It was a nice scene to come back to, even if she was still feeling off after finding out about the possible attack. The time with just Casey had helped- without it she'd probably struggle to come back at all. 

[color=629c3f]"Whoa, wait! I think I see an arm! Gin?! Are you in there?! Holy shit, Casey, I think you're crushing her with your- heh- fat ass!"[/color] Cass only made herself laugh more, one hand jerking out to slap Leon's arm as she did.


[color=9399b8]”Smells like luuuuuube!”[/color] Ginara yelled from behind Casey, a cackle escaping her lungs as they compressed down. 

She was slapping at his back and flailing her arms wildly, causing Casey to laugh aloud for a solid ten seconds before finally standing up.

[color=577d06]”[i]Oh![/i] So, you were [i]in my seat, huh?[/i]”[/color] Casey spun, a playful tone in his voice as he chided the young woman in front of him.

She stood up, giving him a hug before scooting to one of the empty seats that Ezra and Tansy had previously occupied.

[color=92278f]”Hey, look who's back! Trisha, how’s Tansy?”[/color] Junior asked down the table, the little table utensil golem waving its fork up at her in a friendly way.

Gin reached across the table trying to grab it, only to get a fork to the hand for her troubles.

[color=9399b8]”Augh! Little fucker! Ignore Chris Hansen’s next visit, Trisha; talk to me instead! How’s it goin’? You wanna play on the server tomorrow when everything’s quiet? Or, are you doin’ that shopping thing?”[/color] she asked Trisha sincerely, rubbing her hand in frustration.

What shopping thing? Trisha tilted her head, glancing at Casey for a moment before looking back at Gin. 
[color=d1b300]“Well… Mia's already said we're playing tomorrow, so I guess that's the plan. It'll be nice to do something quiet after the last week, though I'll have to do some things for the bees first."[/color]

Then she glanced down the table towards Junior, not quite able to just ignore him. Not when it might cause him to make more of a scene again. 
[color=d1b300]“And Tansy's fine. Back to normal already."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"It's just a server you're hosting right, Gin? There doesn't happen to be room for one more, does there?"[/color] Cass couldn't help but ask, leaning forward with a grin. She'd heard about the Minecraft playing here and there, of course, but it was never talked about so directly in front of her that she… wanted to ask to join. But now it did feel like some fun she was missing out on! Not that she'd mind if they decided the numbers they had were already enough. 

[color=d1b300]“I thought you were bored of Minecraft."[/color] Trisha asked, looking at Cass with an almost accusatory stare. 

[color=629c3f]"That was just an excuse to not have to play with Sal! Y'know he manages to make Minecraft fucking competitive too! Sometimes I just wanna chill!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I didn't realise you knew how to chill."[/color] Trisha's gaze softened, her lips pulling up into a lightly teasing smile. It made sense, though. Sal was half the reason she got so aggressive on competitive games… and Cass had been dealing with that so much longer. He really was a good friend until a game came out, whatever it was.

[color=629c3f]"Whoa!"[/color] Cass grasped her chest jokingly, grinning at Trisha before looking up at Leon. 
[color=629c3f]"You hear this, Babe?! Trisha thinks I can't chill! I can totally chill, can't I?!"[/color]

[color=C67C12]”It’s my belief that the two of you define the concept differently. I’ve got [i]no[/i] spine to comment any further.”[/color] Leon replied, sticking his tongue out playfully.

[color=9399b8]”There’s [i]always[/i] room, Cass. But, it’s technically Trisha time for us, so she’s in charge of deciding whether or not you’re gatekept.”[/color] Gin smiled, hoping her tone sounded playful despite the truth in her words. Jekyll was manifest well, and her social battery was charged enough that she could actively navigate sarcasm without making it sound like she was being woefully serious.

[color=92278f]”If you get rejected, send me a message Cass! I admin the Temple youth server!”[/color] Junior called out with the verbal inflection of a wink emoji. Gin groaned like someone was talking about their sick fetish in response.

[color=629c3f]"Nah, I ain't gonna go bully fucking youths! I ain't fit that term for a few years!"[/color] Cass easily shot back, letting any bad vibes from how Junior talked completely slide off her. She didn't seem bothered by what Gin said either- she could pick up the hints of playfulness, and was perfectly fine if Trisha didn't want her joining anyway. 

[color=d1b300]“But you'll happily bully us?"[/color] Trisha raised her eyebrows at Cass. 

[color=629c3f]"Uh, no- it's just teens who remind me of my lil brothers, y'know! I can't hold back wanting to destroy all the shit they made."[/color] Cass joked, smiling at the memory of all the houses in Minecraft she'd blown up. They couldn't even do anything about it, because they were only able to play on the shitty laptops they'd scraped and saved and begged for thanks to her computer skills. 

[color=d1b300]“So long as you don't destroy anything we've made… You can join."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Don't worry, I wouldn't wanna ruin your hard work."[/color] Cass grinned, shooting finger guns at Trisha. 
[color=629c3f]"I'll add to it! There's a ton of cool shit I've wanted to build in Minecraft, but there's always been someone tryna blow it up! And normally succeeding! So… this'll be fun! I can probably do it on the side of some coding or shit- or, uh, pay full attention to it, I guess. Oooh but I gotta build that thing for-"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Yourself, right?"[/color] Trisha interrupted, before Cass could start talking about the website she'd asked Cass to build for them just that morning. Because then she'd have to explain why… and the why was to distract Cass so she didn't tell Leon about something they were both going to be present for! 
[color=d1b300]“That magic tracking thing?"[/color] 

[color=629c3f]"Right, totally what I meant, y'know me so well."[/color] Cass nodded, totally convincingly.

Junior stood up with a shunting motion, stuffing his chair into the empty seat behind him. Thankfully, that cousin had long since shuffled off to some vacant corner. He didn’t say anything, rather pushing his chair in once he slipped out and letting the little golem crumble back into its constituent pieces. He shuffled off toward Lynette’s side of the table, but not before leaving a lingering look of annoyance for everyone at that end of the table to deal with.
 
Gin scoffed, shaking her head.
[color=9399b8]”Fuckin’ stay gone.”[/color] she muttered, turning back to Trisha and Cass and finding her smile in both of them.

[color=9399b8]”Anyway! There’s plenty to do and learn, Cass. It’s not, uh… Not [i]normal[/i] Minecraft. Lots of mods! Trisha farms resource trees, like, groves of trees that make fruits and you put the fruits in a machine. They convert them into all kinds of resources!”[/color] Gin proudly announced, happy that Trisha had a niche she enjoyed besides just building things.

[color=C67C12]”Y’know, Casey, she won’t sit still for shit but all of a sudden she wants to spend a bunch of time stationary in a bed.”[/color] Leon shrugged, grin half forming across his face.

Casey picked up on the sarcasm.
[color=577d06]”We’ll hook her up to one of those Steven Hawking ass vocoders next time she’s sick; she’ll get all her programming done then and only spend half the time gaming when she’s peppy.”[/color] he smiled back, looking from Leon to Cass before sticking his tongue out at her.

[color=C67C12]”I love you being solution oriented. It’s awesome, you’ve always got a plan.”[/color] Leon praised in return, his grin widening.

[color=9399b8]”Oh my [i]God[/i] that’s actually a sick project, Cass! Let’s fucking develop a speech generation tool for you! Except, like, an interpretive coding system! How fucking [i]cool[/i] would that be!?”[/color] Gin leaned forward, sticking a fork into Ezra’s leftovers.

[color=629c3f]"God, it'd be cool, but can you imagine tryna speak out the syntax?! Like I'd just be shouting ‘curly brackets' all the fucking time!"[/color] Cass shook her head, laughing. 
[color=629c3f]"And it ain't like I can't type… I mean this time was hard but- either I'm in so much pain I ain't got the brains to code anywhere, or my fingers are itching to do something!"[/color]

Then she shoved an elbow straight into Leon's side, shooting him a playful glare. 
[color=629c3f]"Hey, I ain't wanting to spend anytime stationary in bed! I'ma be spending all the time stationary at my [I]computer[/I] which is totally different! I'm sorry, Babe, but you're gonna have to accept that the first love in my life is always gonna be the code!"[/color]

Trisha giggled slightly, leaning towards Casey with a smile. She reached out to rub Casey's arm. 
[color=d1b300]“No matter what solutions you come up with, she'll still fall into a coding hole for days… But a speech generation thing would be interesting. It's not like you have to say the syntax, Cass. If you tailor it to a specific language it'll just… know. You can tell it to create a method or an if block or something."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"True… Oooh… Just the thought of tryna code something like that has me getting all excited."[/color] Cass grinned, rubbing her hands together, quickly making it obvious that Casey's solution to keep her away from the computer while healthy had backfired with Gin's suggestion. Though it had been a joke from the two men, at least, she was now seriously thinking about it.

[color=C67C12]”I’m gonna get left for a block of text on a screen, I can’t believe it.”[/color] Leon pouted, mockingly throwing his hands in the air.

Though, from where he stood, anything that let her keep doing [i]something[/i] with ease during the worst of times was better than nothing. Maybe she couldn’t code, sure, but there’s a high chance that with magic, anything could apply. Everything from a chair to a game controller could probably be rigged to the same few spells, with everything running on a Prismatic system to reflect the light of the spells around like a closed power circuit.

Casey was having roughly the same consideration, thinking about all the applications she could probably weave into the system through her own powerful magic.

[color=577d06]”If you can’t beat ‘em, you gotta join ‘em, Lee.”[/color] Casey grinned and shrugged, looking at Trisha and smiling as he reached for her hand.

[color=9399b8]”Holy [i]fuck[/i] this guy’s a sap. Did you hear that?”[/color] Gin chuckled.

[color=d1b300]“He’s [I]my[/I] sap."[/color] Trisha defended him immediately, taking Casey's hand and squeezing. She couldn't stop herself from looking at him with a just as- if not more- sappy expression as his. 

[color=629c3f]"One of us, one of us, welcome to the coding dark side!"[/color] Cass laughed, grinning at Gin. 
[color=629c3f]"C'mon, does it matter how sappy it is if it gets him to the side of technology?!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“It’s not like I'd ever leave him for code."[/color] Trisha shrugged, managing to tear her eyes away from Casey for just a moment to shoot a teasing smile at Cass. Sure, she got pretty obsessed with getting things done sometimes, but if Casey wasn't with her during it… she'd always end up wanting to go to him at some point. Cass, on the other hand, forgot anyone else existed.

[color=629c3f]"Whoa… I wouldn't actually! Well-"[/color] Cass' lips pulled up into an wicked grin as she got closer to Leon, stretching up to speak in his ear. She didn't actually bother whispering, so it just had the illusion of being secret. 
[color=629c3f]"You're safe ‘till someone makes a satisfying sex robot!"[/color]

She pulled back, loudly cackling like an evil witch.

Leon gave a big, almost comical frown in return.

[color=C67C12]”God, I’m just a dog!”[/color] he simpered, finally tucking his head into his arms and resting them down on the table. He then proceeded to weep in the most exaggerated fashion he could, letting his chest and back heave up and down in big arching motions.

[color=577d06]”Ohhhhh geeze, look what you’ve done, Cass! The man provides mind blowing sex, and you want to replace him with a robot! The absolute state of modern women is [i]crazy![/i]”[/color] Casey blurted out, his tone as sarcastic as he could make it so he didn’t catch flak from any of the surrounding ladies.

[color=9399b8]”Honestly, most days I could go for a robot. Gimmie something that computes at a quantum speed… If… Y’know, you know what I mean.”[/color] Gin furrowed her brow, tossing one hand up.
[color=9399b8]”I… Don’t even know what I mean, honestly.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]"You mean that a robot would be able to calculate the best [I]outcome[/I] and immediately follow the steps to get there! It certainly wouldn't start fucking sobbing!"[/color] Cass joked. 
[color=629c3f]"No complaints! Not overly emotional! No need for breaks! Us modern women need a lot!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Well it's a good thing I'm a rich lady from the past. All I need is servants to pamper me- bringing me fruit, fanning me, pedicures and the like. No robots."[/color] Trisha intoned, sarcasm much more muted but still there. 
[color=d1b300]“My standards are more realistic."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Alright Lady Vanburen, you stay in the past with your humans!"[/color] Cass cackled, moving to rub the back of her exaggeratedly sobbing boyfriend. 
[color=629c3f]"There there, Baby, a robot could never beat your boxing skills, sexual prowess and sparkling personality."[/color]

Leon immediately perked up, practically flinging himself back into an upright position as he reached for his glass of wine. He had a big smile as he took a sip.
[color=C67C12]”There we go, sorry for a second I was having this horrible nightmare about being [i]replaceable[/i]. Like that could ever be true.”[/color] he laughed aloud.

[color=577d06]”I’d say it would take several other people to replace you in all the categories. No man on Earth can beat him in all three… But, a robot? I-”[/color]

[color=92278f]”-You two are the [i]gayest[/i] wingmen I’ve ever seen. You both have girlfriends, quit circle jerking. Also, goodnight.”[/color] 


Junior waltzed back down the aisle from the other side, and stood over the chair Gin was in. Index fingers on both hands poked down at her, tucking into and pulling on her hair in the tight bun it was in.

[color=9399b8]”Animal! I’ll bite, I’ll do it!”[/color] Gin grunted up, opening and closing her teeth in a gnashing motion. She wasn’t going easy, either… If she made contact, it [i]would[/i] hurt.

But Junior seemed annoyingly adept at this game. Much like his brothers, the [i]good at this[/i] gene was natural in the realm of physical activity. And for Junior, hand-eye coordination was always a focal point. Delicate tasks, and being able to implement that delicate control through remote constructs, came as naturally to him as remote autonomous operations were to Casey. 

Casey threw a middle finger up.
[color=577d06]”Night June. Don’t trip and break a leg or anything.”[/color] Casey said as genuinely as he possibly could.

[color=92278f]”God, yeah. Good luck with the speech, you’ll be in prime sniping territory. It can be like the old days.”[/color] Junior pursed his lips before stepping away. Down the stairs he went, sauntering off toward the food court to stack a box of leftovers for home. 

[color=C67C12]”Christ…”[/color]

[color=577d06]”I mean, we are [i]kinda[/i] gay.”[/color] Casey started to laugh aloud, head tilting back.

[color=629c3f]”He’s twenty-three, right? Fucking hell, my brothers grew outta calling shit gay like it was a bad thing when they were teenagers!”[/color] Cass shook her head at Junior’s back. Almost every interaction had her wanting to beat some sense into him… She’d probably be able to win now she was super juiced with Green Lux! But he wasn’t her little brother, so had to defer to the actual relatives!

[color=d1b300]“Feels like highschool all over again.”[/color] Trisha commented, glad that Junior was leaving- if a bit surprised he wasn’t sticking around for Lynette’s speech. But she was glad he wouldn’t be there for the proposal. Everyone else in the family- even Lynette- had some positive impact on Casey’s life, even if small. But Junior? There didn’t seem to have been any. 

[color=629c3f]”Yeah, yeah… I, for one, am glad my boyfriend’s kinda gay! Makes the orgies way more fun! Y’know I dated a straight guy, like, once and it was the worst! Do not recommend. Us queers gotta stick together!”[/color] Cass snickered, grinning at Leon. 

[color=d1b300]“Wasn’t he also super religious? Wasn’t [i]that[/i] more of the problem?”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Well, yeah, but that wasn’t so obvious going in!”[/color]

Casey and Leon were laughing between one another as the two of them kept listening to Trisha and Cass.

[color=577d06]”I’ve been reviewed [i]scathingly[/i]. Holy [i]fuck[/i].”[/color] Casey laughed aloud.


[color=C67C12]”I’ve [i]never[/i] been religious in my entire life! I mean, we’re not at a heretical Christian harvest event or anything!”[/color] Leon tried to hold in laughter long enough to speak, but by the time the sentence was over, he was buckled at the neck laughing his head off.

[color=9399b8]”Only to the [i]mainstream[/i] Denominations!”[/color] Gin said cheekily.
[color=9399b8]”Now, tell me about the orgies, Cass!”[/color] she grinned, leaning in and biting her lip.

[color=629c3f]”It’s only been one proper one so far, but-”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“You can tell Gin about the fucking orgies in your own time, Cass!”[/color] Trisha interrupted, absolutely not wanting to hear about the orgy or anything adjacent to it. Quite frankly, it was bad enough having some idea of what Cass and Leon got up too. She wasn’t a prude or anything, she just didn’t want to know. 

She then turned to Casey with a joking pout.
[color=d1b300]“Would you believe me if I said he was [i]worse[/i] religion wise.”[/color] 

[color=629c3f]”Depends on your definition of religious, Trish! He was part of one’ve those polygamous cults! Like, sure, you do you and have multiple wives, but you gotta tell me about your first one [i]and[/i] let me bang her too! I ain’t here for the whole one man many women thing… No way! Dude thought going to uni was an opportunity to collect more, god damn!”[/color] Cass shook her head, laughing. A finger jerked out to point at Casey.
[color=629c3f]”And you’re clearly Trishasexual, so you’re fine!”[/color]

[color=577d06]”I’d agree with you, yeah. I’m,- Yeah. Trishasexual.”[/color] he looked back at her, squeezing her hand as he nodded in agreement with Cass.

[color=9399b8]”Oh, yeah- We’re definitely not down [i]that[/i] branch of the Schism. Although, Lynette principled marriage in our codes with polyamory in mind from the jump. As many partners as are willing to participate are recognized as valid by the Temple. Even if, y’know, the state doesn’t necessarily allow that sort of thing.”[/color] Gin giggled to herself.

[color=C67C12]”Good thing you’re first in line right now. If you ever wanna get hitched, anyone joining in after that needs to adjust to [i]our[/i] system instead of you having to adjust. That way when you inevitably get your robot husband, and I have my ghost wife, we’ll all be a hunky-dory foursome.”[/color] Leon grinned widely.

[color=629c3f]”Hey now, I’m already that ghost’s consort, so I getta piece of that too!”[/color] Cass laughed, grinning back. While she wasn’t actually worried, because they’d already had plenty of good discussions about boundaries… There was always that little risk when polyamory was involved. She’d been bitten in the ass by it before.

[color=629c3f]”Polyamory is different from polygamy anyway- at least, how those other religious groups see it! It’s all about the man’s power and having loadsa wives and kids! Normally the women ain’t really getta choice- whereas when it’s polyamory it tends to be! It’s way more equal! [i]I’m[/i] polyamorous, but I wouldn’t want like five fucking spouses while they all only have me! That’s just fucking… I dunno… Not equal!”[/color] She couldn't stop herself from going on a little impassioned rant, jumping up with her hands balling up into fists in front of her to go with it. 

[color=d1b300]“Nobody’s trying to convince you to have five spouses- or be one of five.”[/color] Trisha covered her mouth with her free hand to try hide her laugh- but it didn’t really work when it was loud enough to be audible. Cass was just getting so passionate about something that wasn’t a problem here.

[color=629c3f]”Oh- Yeah- I know! Just thinking ‘bout that guy got me all pissed off again!”[/color] Cass let out a little huff, ass dropping back to her seat. 
[color=629c3f]”People just still assume, y’know. ‘Oh you’re poly, you wanna be one of many wives’- uh, no!”[/color]

Trisha stopped trying to hide her laughter, doing it openly now.
[color=d1b300]“If anyone needs multiple partners to handle them, it's you. I think you’ve found the one person who can. You’re welcome, by the way.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Don’t take that kind of credit just yet, Trisha. Lelou’s not [i]not[/i] that type of mistress. She doesn’t mind consorts sorting themselves out, but I’m [i]pretty[/i] sure it’s all set up for her in the end. That’s gonna be a hard nut to crack.”[/color] Leon admitted with a joking tone.

[color=9399b8]”Wait, you guys are banging the ghost? I thought-”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-I’m not going further than that! Trisha’s orders.”[/color] 

Casey giggled again, shaking his head.

[color=577d06]”If anyone can handle it, it’s Cass. We’ve all got our strengths, after all.”[/color] he interjected, throwing a thumbs up at her with a goofy smile.
[color=577d06]”We did the world a favor by hooking them up. It’s like two little kids tied to one another. We can leash them both to the same pole while we go into the restaurant.”[/color]

Trisha nodded, smiling. She honestly did think it was a good thing in the end they’d gotten together… Even if it gave them headaches every now and then. It meant Cass was around more, and she was learning to… tolerate Leon. 
[color=d1b300]“Mhm, it’s nice not having to worry. They’ll sort themselves out.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Whoa… You’re at least gonna leave us food, right?!”[/color] Cass laughed. 
[color=629c3f]”And you’re one to talk, Trish! You’re the ones literally joined at the hip! At least me and Leon can spend a couple of hours apart to cause chaos in separate locations! Damn, you make it sound like I was prowling the streets looking for the next person to drag into my bed and tie down!”[/color] 

[color=d1b300]“You [i]weren’t[/i] doing that?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”No way! I do my hunting exclusively in clubs- or your house!”[/color]
 
[color=C67C12]”Well, it [i]was[/i] their house. Makes sense to me, y’know?”[/color]

The various speakers until now had been cursory guests, lesser members from the box, or otherwise weren’t people worth being interested in listening to for an extended period. None of the siblings, and Grandpa Max took his turn just after Casey and Trisha left to escort Tansy and Ezra. At this point, it was vacant, shuffling between the last “act” and the local Emcee: Hari. She spent the entire night at the other end of the table standing up and passing through a little swinging door on the other side, seeing people off and inviting others up. 

She even had a bag of [i]things[/i]. Rewards, trophies, letters of appreciation from the New Dawn’s Board of Trustees… Like it was a business… However, it was about to be Casey’s turn. As the guest from the Mid-West branch was wrapping up, Hari leaned over the table trying to get Casey’s attention. She was tough to miss in that regard, and he chuckled to himself as he cleared his throat and waved a free hand at her.

[color=577d06]”Well, it’s that time folks. Wish me luck.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”What luck? Go, do a crime.”[/color] Leon grinned, leaning forward and putting his hand out for Casey to grab.

He did, and they exchanged a warm glance.

[color=629c3f]"You've got this, dude! Go break a leg!"[/color] Cass grinned, leaning her whole body across the table to slap Casey's upper arm while Leon still held his hand. 

Trisha smiled softly at him, knowing what was coming… Or at least, some of it. She didn't know exactly what he'd said. Hopefully not too much about her aside from the proposal. She wasn't sure if she could deal with that.
[color=d1b300]“Good luck, Casey."[/color] Her warm, loving smile said more than she could muster in words, at least. 

Casey smiled back at both girls, leaning and kissing Trisha on the lips. He didn’t say a word, but his eyes said everything he needed them to. Excitement and anticipation abound. Gin cleared her throat almost behind him due to his twisted position in the seat.

[color=9399b8]”Time for?”[/color] Gin asked with suspicion in her voice.

[color=577d06]”I’m speaking, dude. I’m-”[/color]

Casey had been watching Hari walk out. She greeted the man with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Sent him back into the box and down the aisle toward the seat he’d been in on the other end. He was coiled in wait for the call now.

[color=0072bc]”-Now, Family and Fellowship; before we let you all get on with your night in peace, we have just a couple more [i]key note speakers[/i] coming. Next up, someone who I know is, if nothing else, concise in what he’s got to say. He’s not too heavy, after all; because he’s our Brother. The newly appointed Chief of Security for the New Dawn here in the great United States of America. Someone who’s served his country, and serves his Faith now with just as much valiance.”[/color]

Casey was already embarrassed and a little ashamed. Maybe she was speaking from a place of true belief; that he was doing all of them a favor by letting this coup boil up and over the rim of the pot beneath him. All he really felt was that it was best for [i]him[/i] if the situation crumbled. He had a cushion. And the people, well not all the people, wouldn’t just [i]die[/i] because the edifice that was the Temple upended from its place. Life goes on.

As he got to the door, just as he felt Mia and a few others patting him on the back, he locked eyes with Lynette. The conversation existed only in the briefest flash of consciousness before both released one another from that psychic grasp. No words needed to be exchanged. Maybe, between the two of them, they found a way to move beyond them entirely. He felt everything that she was willing to give him, and he didn’t hunt for more. She would feel everything she wanted to, reaching at every little vestige returning to her own consciousness. 

It was Love. Nostalgia. Despair. Triumph and Anguish. And, most of all, a lingering sense of peace that pervaded his mind like a quiet ringing in the night. Almost hopeful in a certain sense. He wasn’t baffled so much as he was suspicious. The fact that she wasn’t constantly railing against them and attempting to block movements or assert her control over the situation was [i]at best[/i] a cause for suspicion. And so, he could only return so much to her; which only made her placid reaction to his blatant withholding [i]even more strange[/i]. 

But it was far more simple than he gave credit for… Some things, one must do because they’re right. Others, they do because they [i]wish[/i] to be right.

[color=0072bc]”Please, help me welcome the shy big brother I’ve come to know and love. Our Executive Officer, and a Blade of the First Degree in the Order of the Knights of the New Dawn: Casey Richoux!”[/color]n Hari finished off just as he was approaching the door, and spun just in time to catch him coming through before he slinked into her embrace. They didn’t exchange any words, rather letting Casey get to the podium where he was meant to be.

The crowd was mostly involved in itself thankfully, though a fair few people bothered to pass applause upward toward him as he settled in. He didn’t have any notes, and waved to the people he could see whose attention was his, rather than their meal’s. He only waited a moment to let the lingering emotions from Lynette pass on into the dark.

[color=577d06]”I’d like to tell you all a bit about what I’m thankful for.”[/color] He smiled, his head nodding slightly.
[color=577d06]”I memorized it all, but I picked a few out; I like to organize things chronologically, so I’ll go from where I left off last year until now.”[/color]

Casey took a deep breath, looked back, and smiled at the table in spite of the coming days. It was just a glance, but it started at one side with the beginning, and fell onto the present at the other end. Hopefully, she’d be the future too. Turning his head back to the crowd, he waved his left hand backward.

[color=577d06]”I’m eternally grateful to our God, who smiles upon us all in this joyous gathering where faith and love meet. And from Him, my Family. My Father, may he rest in peace, and my Mother who remains resolute. Charming and Graceful as always is Our Lady: Amen.”[/color]

He paused for a brief moment as people gathered there resounded his sentiment.

[color=577d06]”I’m thankful to have ended my year back in Europe, spending quality time with my extended family while working with Coalition forces in the Greater European Recovery Effort. My many cousins in Prague and Germany live interesting lives, and I’m incredibly grateful for the hospitality I was shown from December to February.”[/color]

Not to mention they were invaluable when it came to bolstering the work forces that he was tasked to. Many of them were studied Clerics and Primal Bolsterers who used the Abstraction-Boosting qualities of Orange Lux over the more mechanical enchantment aspects of its nature.

[color=577d06]”I’m thankful to have been given the opportunity to further my career in the United States Armed Forces. In late April, upon returning home, I was offered a chance to climb the ladder to Colonel of the Army: A position I [i]probably[/i] would not have done well in! And I’m incredibly thankful to the people who talked me down from the ladder on that one: I hope they’re doing well.”[/color] he laughed at the situation, prompting the audience to follow along as his cheery demeanor didn’t change.

[color=577d06]”I’m thankful for all the people who I started working with in the Reserve after that. It wasn’t exactly a long period, but my Therapist is a champ. Couldn’t make it down, but that’s not a problem. I know they’re doing well. And, then, I’m thankful about having open arms to come home to just this September. It rolls back around to the people you’re closest to; it always does.-”[/color]

He turned, shifting his body and pointing behind him at his Mom’s side of the table.

[color=577d06]”-My Mother, to whom I owe this chance to be in front of you all. And Hari, and Clarissa, my sister Elise; a fantastic team of ladies leading us spiritually every day. My Uncle, Furio, who you all should know from being in my seat the last decade at least. He’s been an amazing help in teaching me and showing me everything I’d need to be successful in my role at this point. He’s done a great job: Let’s give our Eye in the Pyramid a great big round of applause! Be thankful for them!”[/color]

Casey waited as the applause grew louder. The box behind him erupted, nobody above giving themselves hands.

[color=577d06]”That’s right! I had every single one of them in my corner when I told them it was time to come home. And my Siblings: Mia, Max, Leon- And every single person on the security team who I’ve come to know over the last few months. My people are [i]really[/i] something to be thankful for. A class act, a group of professionals in the civilian sector like this is hard to come by.”[/color]

He waved at the back rows, where he knew some of the security teams were clustered to watch and wait like anchors in the sea.

[color=577d06]”And… Then, God gave us a night to be frivolous, and to speak with the dead as the veil thins the night. He gave us Hallow’s Eve. And my gift on that fateful night, just a month ago, was something that I’ll honestly say I never expected to receive. I really don’t know what it is about this person, folks… But I didn’t believe in true love until I saw her face. It was wet; she’d slipped in some mud and was looking for shelter. As part of the volunteering, I was just finishing up my work for the night, and leaving with Leon. Thank God he knew her, otherwise we may have waltzed right past. But we got to a dry place, and I got her a rag. And, as she wiped the mud off her face, I realized that there was a Disney Princess standing in front of me. In real life! Clear as day, there she was!”[/color]

Casey’s emphatic expressions were unusual, but not out of his range. But he certainly was using the best of his abilities to keep up.

[color=577d06]”So, I did what any normal and sane individual would do: I stood there with my mouth agape trying to figure out what to say to beauty placed on Earth before me. And this is someone who my [i]dear brother[/i] had absolutely zero interest in. Red flag? I’m sure you all may think that, but [i]no![/i] No, honestly, because I’m more thankful for the last month of my life than I am for… A [i]lot[/i] of things, honestly. I’m thankful for a lot, but the last month has really seen my life shaping up in a clear direction. And, it’s thanks to everyone around me for providing that support structure for me to be able to soar. [i]But-[/i]”[/color]

He paused, turning to Trisha finally and grinning before shifting himself so he could still be heard in the standing microphone.

[color=577d06]”-Ehem… Little Miss Bumblebee? Come help me reach the top.”[/color]

The more Casey talked, the redder Trisha became. It didn't help that Cass had taken the opportunity to leap over Leon and snatch up Casey’s empty seat, crouching in it and hitting Trisha with the widest, smugest grin. 

By the time he turned to her, her hands were covering her bright red face. Her eyes peered out between fingers at him. It was clear that she was overwhelmed and embarrassed, but more than that she was melting from the sappiness of everything he said. She was [I]happy[/I]. But it was a lot to hear. 

She wasn't exactly someone with a lot of confidence, and hearing him sing her praises only made her feel more shy. Her head began to slowly shake. 

With enough tension, the opposite end of the table looked like they were going to burst. Lynette finally let herself break the dam.

[color=8882be]”Tri-sha! Tri-sha!”[/color] she started to chant, hands banging on the table until the other girls started to join in. 
Pretty soon the whole table they’d been sitting at was in on the fun, and it even spread to the other tables.

Casey bit his lip and tried not to laugh, reaching his hand out to Trisha despite knowing full well he was dozens of feet away. He playfully waggled his fingers, causing the audience to laugh below.

She didn't really have a choice anymore, even though she only felt more embarrassed by the chanting. She'd known she’d had to go up there but she'd thought that maybe… it wouldn’t be such a big thing? Somehow she’d be able to do it without drawing much attention to herself. At least she managed to avoid any kind of pats on the way up- knowing full well there'd be plenty of hugs on the way back. 

The moment Trisha reached Casey, she took his outstretched hand and moved close to him wordlessly. Like she was trying to hide against him without being [I]too[/i] obvious about it, or too openly sappy. But there wasn't much that could hide her heavy blush outside of just not seeing her face at all.

As she slotted into his side like the perfect player two, his arm wrapped around her and ratcheted her into place.

[color=577d06]”She’s shy! So I’m not gonna make her speak. I’m just gonna bring her up here to show everyone. Like, look! This is what love at first sight looks like, everyone. Right here. When the war was over, I saw so many people come home to beautiful men and women waiting for them to start a family, or who already had that family of their own waiting for them. Some came home to children who were nearly grown! I had to wait. I like to think it’s all the time in the Foreign Legion.”[/color]

Again, he laughed, so the audience laughed. Though, Grandpa Max laughed especially loud at that one, as did a fair group of the cousins.

[color=577d06]”But, really, now that you’ve all seen her, and I’ve forced her onto this stage like this, it’s really only fair that I embarrass her a little more.”[/color] Casey grinned.

Turning to face her directly, he gathered himself and spoke to her finally.

[color=577d06]”Trisha: My life before I met you was a string of expectations and extrapolations based upon them. We met October Thirty-first. It’s November Thirtieth. In that short time, you’ve given me a million reasons to take the reins of life in my hands and run the show. And every single one of those reasons make me want to share it all with you.”[/color] 

Casey’s hand slipped up and out of his vest with an incredibly smooth action, and his stance as he shifted down to one knee forced her out from behind the podium to stand in the open. Far enough in the open that everyone could also see Casey’s hands extending out as far as they could to present the little red box. Everyone present knew the box was one of Sylvie’s, and there was an instant flush of envy from just about everyone from the Richoux family in the box.
Then he opened it.

[color=577d06]”Trisha? I wanna share [i]everything[/i] with you forever. Marry me? Go someplace quiet with me?”[/color] he looked up at her, his words just barely echoing out of the microphone as he spoke. 

Trisha didn't have the words to immediately respond, so she just nodded. Because even all the playthroughs she'd done in her mind didn't compare to it actually happening. But she wasn't embarrassed, rather overwhelmed by love and happiness that it choked her up. In that moment, it was just them. All of the people around them faded away. 

[color=d1b300]“Y-Yes. Of course I'll marry you… I want to be with you forever, Casey."[/color] She whispered, eyes welling up slightly. What had she done to deserve this? To deserve him? Did she? 

He certainly seemed to think so. She wasn't sure if she should just take the ring, or let him put it on for her. So her hands moved out to rest on his. Her tear stained eyes creased warmly at him, and her still red face was lit up by an incredibly soft smile. 

[color=d1b300]“I love you, Casey. I can't wait to be your fiance… and then your wife."[/color] Then she bent forward to lightly, briefly kiss him.

As she leaned in for the kiss, the ring [i]pulled a funny.[/i] Rather than waiting for his touch, it waited for his cover before unlocking itself and springing across a few inches to clamp down on Trisha’s finger in a perfect living snugness. There were either a few hidden features, or Sylvie had made some upgrades between then and now. But its brilliance and luster underneath the lights above them made it shine and shimmer on her hand.

He stood up, leaning down just enough to kiss her again before plucking her and holding her up in the air with gusto and passion. The crowd was a little docile. Maybe most of them heard [i]a month[/i] and lost interest. But, there were plenty of people who gave claps and cheers as the two of them came together in an embrace.
Strong enough to keep her up with one arm, Casey let the other arm bring her hand up to the sky to put the ring on full display. Amazingly, there were quite a few camera flashes. There [i]were[/i] members of certain press outlets present. 

Behind them, the voices were much louder with Lynette egging them on. She didn’t exactly care how mad Furio was at Casey; he was expected to clap just as loud as Leon and Cass were genuinely. Or, rather, like Big Max! He had Sylvie wrapped tightly in one arm to the point that she could barely clap her own hands, all the while violently jostling her as he smashed his hands together and bellowed in praise. He’d already spoken about his grandson earlier, and sang his praises in spite of the absence.

[color=577d06]”Then I think I can safely say I’ll be thankful for the rest of my life!”[/color] he said up to her with a great big smile on his face. 
Rather than embarrass her further, he tucked her back into his arms, then let Trisha back down. But his gaze was firmly planted on her, eyes, locking gazes.

[color=577d06]”I love you… I love you. Uhhhh-”[/color] he paused, turning slightly back to the microphone.
[color=577d06]”-she said yes. I don’t know if you guys hea-”[/color]
There was a far more raucous confirmation, even some rhythmic table banging interspersed through the crowds below.

[color=577d06]”-Oh, good, you heard. Uhhh… I just want to cap that off by saying that I’m incredibly thankful that you guys have all stuck with us for the many years since the disappearance of my Father. Year after year, you come to St. Portwell like Mecca, and you feast at our tables. I believe that, if this was our last year here, it would be the best. And my Father is so proud of all of you here. Thank you.”[/color]

Any talk about Gravity was talk that usually brought these crowds together. There were much louder cheers and claps and applause as Casey turned Trisha in his arms to make way back toward the little swinging door. Hari was holding it open with a big grin.

[color=0072bc]”Congrats you guys. Thanks for the shout out, Casey.”[/color]
As they passed by he leaned down and planted a kiss on top of Hari’s head, then started to shuffle before Lynette reached out and grabbed his coat.

[color=8882be]”I don’t get anything?”[/color] she asked quizzically, having stood up knowing her turn was next.

Only Casey turned, blocking Trisha from her at first.
[color=577d06]”I’m not sure what you mean. I-”[/color]

She wrapped both her arms around him, pulling her son in by the shoulders and wrapping him up tightly in her clutches.


[color=8882be]”I’ll miss you when I’m gone… But we’re gonna have so much fun when I come back. I love you, Casey… I love you so much, my quiet boy.”[/color]

And then she let him go. He reactively pulled away in response, drifting backward for a moment until her face was clear, with a genuine smile becoming an ugly cry as all expression slowly turned to mush.

[color=577d06]”Hey, hey! Save this for later- You’re on in like ten seconds!”[/color]

[color=8882be]”[i]God,[/i] I’m fucking hammered! Hari! Help meeeeeee!”[/color] she started to sob, before getting a lid on it long enough to make the walk.

It only took a second for Hari’s touch to linger before Lynette was sober enough to speak, and Casey took a deep, freeing breath. Still, they were getting congratulated up and down by people until they came back to their end of the table.

[color=9399b8]”Goddamn, Casey don’t play! Lock that bitch down, slide that ring on that finger! Congrats you guys!”[/color] Gin belted out first.

[color=d1b300]“Uh… Thanks?”[/color] It was phrased as a question at first as Trisha took a moment to parse through what Gin said to see the genuinity in it. She was getting more used to her, but sometimes it was still hard to not just have a ‘what the fuck’ reaction to things she said. But as she did, Trisha offered Gin a genuine smile.
[color=d1b300]“Thank you, Gin.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Holy fucking shit, congratulations! That was so. Fucking. [i][b]CUTE![/b][/i]”[/color]

Trisha had barely gotten past Gin before she was literally attacked. Cass leapt at her, managing to fully wrap her limbs around Trisha without dislodging Casey’s hands on her shoulder. Cass’ arms trapped Trisha own at her side while her legs wrapped around her waist, giving her a proper Cass clinging hug. 

Trisha’s immediate reaction was to panic and take a step backwards towards Casey, in the expectation he’d have to catch her when she fell over from the weight. But there wasn’t… actually… much? 

Green Lux visibly came off Cass’ skin in pale lime curls of steam, her Joy uncontainable. She was actively lightening her own body so there was no issue hanging off Trisha, her momentum perfectly controlled so the initial latch hadn’t bowled her over. 

[color=d1b300]“T-Thank you, Cass, you’re squeezing me!”[/color] Trisha managed to get out, not able to do much with Cass’ extra strong limbs wrapped around her. She’d controlled everything else to not hurt her, but still gone for the full bear hug… Thankfully not so much that it actually hurt her.

[color=629c3f]”Sorry! I’m just so fucking happy for you!”[/color] Cass let go and easily dropped to her feet, hopping round past Trisha to Casey. Her grin was bright. 
[color=629c3f]”You gonna let go of Trish for a moment and accept the Cass hug, or do I gotta do it around that?!”[/color] 

[color=577d06]”Well, you climb up everyone else-”[/color] Casey chided, swinging his arm open wide waiting to accept Cass jumping up without letting go of his beloved Trisha.

Cass laughed, jumping up to give Casey the proper hanging hug too. She kept her weight light as it had been so he didn’t have to worry either- not because she thought he couldn’t take it, she just didn’t want to take any hands away from Trisha! But the squeeze was a bit tighter than Trisha was given… Though not as tight as a few days before when she’d nearly broken his spine. She was learning!

[color=629c3f]”I filmed the whole thing!”[/color] She shouted as she let go of Casey, resisting the urge to grab Trisha again.
[color=629c3f]”So if you wanna rewatch and relive the moment, you can! Ain’t the best angle, but I got it!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Thank you.”[/color] Trisha smiled, glancing at Cass for a moment before tilting her head back to look at Casey. Her expression was incredibly soft.
[color=d1b300]“Casey can probably White Lux stream his memory… But it’d be all from his point of view. I don’t want to see my face that much!”[/color]

Casey grinned.

[color=577d06]”Actually, I got it from probably six different angles, and I’ll mash it all onto eight millimeter film for later. Magic.”[/color] he wriggled his fingers, head twisting to see his Mom for a brief moment.

He was doing everything he could to not listen to her, and felt there was some level of success in doing so. At least for the moment.

Leon made his way over slowly, but had been staring in pretty much the same place. It was hard for both of them to ignore that she was crying into the microphone. That, while they had given the crowd a terribly joyous moment, she was unraveling all of it with a practical eulogy for the Temple as they knew it.

Nevertheless, Leon hugged into Casey.
[color=C67C12]”That was good, Casey. Real nice. Came off smooth, like you wanted.”[/color]

[color=577d06]”Thanks. I’d ask for improvement pointers, but that should really be a once in a lifetime kind of thing to do.”[/color] he replied, a grin on his face.

[color=577d06]”I mean, fuck it. I’ll take ‘em, we’ll go home and I’ll propose to you a thousand times until its [i]perfect.[/i]”[/color] He leaned down and kissed her again.

[color=d1b300]“It was [i]already[/i] perfect.”[/color] Trisha responded as sappily as she could, eyes creasing cutely up at him. Besides, it was her turn when they got home. She’d set everything up in the morning… Not that it was going to be anything as big, or that she had much of a speech at all, but she still wanted to propose to him too. Especially since she had a ring. 

[color=d1b300]“But I’ll take as many proposals as you want to give.”[/color] She continued, doing her best to keep his attention on her, at least. She could hear Lynette in the back of her mind, but was managing to completely ignore everything she said. It was more noticeable through Casey’s momentary shift in attention. 
[color=d1b300]“I just really don’t know how you could make it better.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”D’awww, so fucking cute- Wait!”[/color] Cass’ eyes went wide and she hit Leon’s arm.
[color=629c3f]”You already knew?! When?! How the fuck did you keep it from me?!”[/color] 

Trisha opened her mouth to say that Cass already knew too, then closed it without any words coming out. Was she still keeping up the pretense that she hadn’t known? They’d done their best at that so far…

Leon and Casey gave both girls a look of quiet indignation. That either of them were even bothering at this point came off as silly to Leon, but Casey was proud of them for covering one another. His narrow eyes quickly broadened, and he shook his head.

[color=577d06]”Y'know, little boys talk about getting married too, sometimes. We've always been in agreement about how we'd like to be.”[/color] Casey smiled, letting it turn into a devious grin.

[color=C67C12]”Calm, cool, able to hold onto the moment for magic.”[/color] Leon nodded in agreement, remembering what their Mother had taught them both about White magic.

[color=577d06]”That's gonna be special for me, I think. I hope it's special for both of us, Babe, but… That memory is gonna be a spell someday. It's very powerful; I'll be nostalgic about it forever, I think. Especially with the fucking lead up, oh my Lord! Tonight has been the nicest dental session I've ever had. We were still pulling teeth left and right, but-”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”-Its almost over, my friend. Hard earned- the food was great, the turnout is great. I'm almost certain that it's all going to relief funds for what's coming. Taking care of families who get displaced because-”[/color]

[color=577d06]”-That's neither here nor there for now. Let's just enjoy what we have. Where'd that bread basket go?”[/color]

Gin cleared her throat.

[color=9399b8]”A whole basket!?”[/color] Gin cleared her throat, reaching beside her chair and hoisting the decimated basket up.
[color=9399b8]”I'm not sure where it could've gone!”[/color]

Casey snickered, snagging one of the few remaining rolls and chucking it down his gullet.

[color=629c3f]"Yeah, God, Gin, where the fuck did they all go?!"[/color] Cass cackled as if she hadn't been helping herself to the remaining bread just as much as Gin had. The Abstraction boosting properties certainly didn't help with all the Green Lux flowing across her body… she already had too much of it! 

As she began to bounce back around the table towards her seat, she grinned at Leon and Casey. 
[color=629c3f]"I'm glad that was your childhood proposal plan that you still followed- cause if you'd been anything like my brothers, it would've been crazy! One always said he was gonna propose to his primary school crush by skydiving out of a plane and landing on one knee with a buncha explosions going off behind him!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Mm, yeah, thank God you were both sensible kids."[/color] Trisha agreed with a warm smile towards Casey. She couldn't stop herself from playing with the ring on her finger, feeling the delicate metal band and gemstones beneath her fingertips. It was real, it was there, they were really, properly engaged now. 

She didn't move back towards her seat like Cass did- she didn't really want to move any distance away from Casey. So while he still stood, she did too, as close to him as she could without causing problems. 

[color=629c3f]"Speaking of enjoying what we got… We gotta have a drink! To your engagement! Ain't that like, prime drinking time?! The kinda shit you'd pull out your fanciest bottle of champagne for- not that I have any bottles of champagne, fancy or not!"[/color] Cass grinned from the other side of the table, not actually sitting down yet but instead hopping from foot to foot. 

[color=d1b300]“I… could have another drink, I suppose?"[/color] Trisha said, seeming to be more of a question as she glanced up at Casey. It wasn't so conductive to leaving as soon as Lynette was done but… it wasn't fair to just run away from some of the people who were actually excited for them.

Leon's gaze crossed their side of the table. It was a little sad with how empty it was in comparison to the buffet scraps still lingering on the other half. Thankfully, a large hand and big figure casually slid a bottle of wine into the frame. Big Max's titanic figure slotted in between Leon and Cass, causing both chairs to tilt off to either side in a very shallow incline.

Lynette had hit her stride at some point, and tuning in didn't seem terribly worth it. She was talking about having lost people. The people she ordered killed… Casey grimaced before his Grandfather caught his attention fully.

[color=fc6603]”Drink, and drink again! To your eternal happiness, Trisha and Casey!”[/color] Max grinned, one arm wrapping around Leon and the other around Cass.
[color=fc6603]”Pour! For them!”[/color] he chided the two. 

Casey's face became a smile again, and he patted Trisha forward before rounding her to pull her seat out. Once she was sat, he rounded the table to hug Max while Sylvie quietly made her way around Trisha.

[color=0377fc]”Is the active fitting to your comfort, Trisha?”[/color] she asked simply, gazing down at her creation wrapped around Trisha's finger.

Trisha tilted her head, glancing from the ring up to Sylvie. The active fitting? Like, how it had flown out of the box? Or…

[color=d1b300]“Does it magically adjust size?"[/color] She asked in response, before smiling. 
[color=d1b300]“It fits perfectly… It's very comfortable, and beautiful. Thank you."[/color]

Cass had beaten Leon to grabbing the provided wine bottle, leaning over the table to snatch up Trisha and Casey's glasses. A generous amount was poured into both, before she filled her and Leon's as well. If there was some expectation of a wine pouring technique, she didn't have it. But she grinned brightly, shaking the bottle towards the hugging Casey and Max. 

[color=629c3f]"Am I pouring for you and Sylvie as well?!"[/color]

Trisha was momentarily distracted by Cass' shouting before smiling a bit apologetically at Sylvie. Her voice lowered, even though all people nearby would be able to hear her anyway. Her tone was light, half joking but with some genuine commiseration as one person with a lacking social battery to another.
[color=d1b300]“I’m sorry that there's going to be yet another [I]loud[/I] family member- sort of- around thanks to me. It's difficult to find peace around here."[/color]

[color=0377fc]”In my house, there are all manner of children making noises. Here, it’s more quiet. Would you have been when my babies were small, their chaos may have been a surprise. Look at their Father, for God’s sake.”[/color]

Max had been rubbing Casey’s back in a warm embrace until his attention was pulled away by the questioning. He had the same look Casey often had: Playful without losing seriousness. Like he had a point to make at all times, but was never bothered by waiting his turn. Eagerness for something…

[color=fc6603]”Overly polite, you British folk. As if you don’t know; a Frenchman’s wine glass is always at hand.”[/color] Max cooed down at Cass, his body turning to snatch up the wine glasses from their seats. 

He moved just enough to lean Sylvie’s out to her, his hand drifting in front of Casey and over Trisha until it hovered right in front of her face.
[color=fc6603]”I believe you were having a joke at my expense?”[/color] Max grinned.

Sylvie cleared her throat and reached out for the wine glass. With deft hands, she took the crystal and held its stem.

[color=0377fc]”Only that your Labradoric nature has irreparably damaged my psyche.”[/color] she raised the glass up to him gently. 

Trisha’s lips pulled up into a bit more of a smile, looking past Max to Casey, though she spoke to Sylvie again rather than the two men.
[color=d1b300]“I’m not sure if the [i]loudness[/i] is a Labrador like trait… Casey certainly isn’t that loud or chaotic? Unless it’s something that comes [i]later[/i], and I have it to look forward to?”[/color]

[color=0377fc]”I hate to entwine fate to you any more than it’s already done, dear. Are they poured!? Come, come-”[/color]

Casey pulled the drinks that had been poured by Cass, handing one off to Trisha. Leon and he had taken the second of Max and Sylvie’s interaction to focus back on Lynette in a simultaneous expectation of grievous outpouring. But, just logistical things. She was talking about the amount of people who had come into the flock during her time- Yadda. 


Handing Leon a glass brought him out of the spell at least. Enough that he turned his head and kissed Cass before looking back at his grandparents, his glass raising instinctively.

[color=0377fc]”In respect to your Mother’s seat, we’ll keep relatively quiet.-”[/color] she looked up at Max expectantly.

[color=fc6603]”Oh, of course. I won’t yell.”[/color]

Then Max took a big gulp of air, inhaling as hard as he could like he was about to scream at the top of his lungs. It was so sharp and deep that even Lynette’s extrasensory awareness piqued, and she interrupted herself mid sentence to swing her head and stare daggers at her father-in-law before swinging right back.
Max had a great big grin on his face in turn, shaking his head.

[color=fc6603]”Too easy! Now-”[/color] he giggled, raising his glass gingerly.
[color=fc6603]”-Maybe our friend Cass can toast us? Not too loud, as the lady says?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Me?! That ain’t the right choice for quietness!”[/color] Cass laughed. Though she’d already shouted plenty when Trisha and Casey came back around… She could make a toast at a normal volume! Totally!

She raised her glass with a grin. 
[color=629c3f]”To Trisha and Casey, to them being happily married till they’re as old as you two- sorry!- and to drinking together for many more years!”[/color]

Trisha smiled, eyes narrowing contentedly as her gaze remained on Casey. It was difficult to look anywhere else, after all.

[color=fc6603]”Cheers in your King’s English.”[/color] Max raised his glass and absolutely tilted it until there was nothing left.

Sylvie was much more well mannered, taking a healthy sip and laughing at her husband as red dribbled into his white beard. Casey and Leon had both followed the paternal example, knocking their drinks back after having tilted them into the clinking party. 
As he placed his cup back down, Casey bent to kiss Trisha again, a hand reaching down across her chest to rub her arm while he had his back facing the table.

[color=577d06]”Thank you both- Thank you. It really means a lot. I’m glad you were both here to see.”[/color]

Trisha managed to look past Casey for just a moment, softness still clinging to her gaze as she smiled at both Max and Sylvie. Her body tilted towards Casey as she turned to face them a bit better, still nursing the half full wine glass in her hands.
[color=d1b300]“Yes, thank you. It means a lot to me too… I know how much you mean to Casey. So I’m really… honoured to wear the ring you made and have your approval.”[/color]

Sylvie gave Trisha’s shoulder a simple pat. Nothing overbearing; just a simple confirmation. 

[color=fc6603]”It’s our pleasure of course. And, Cass? It’s right to grow as old as us with love lingering in those oaken hearts. Wish it for everyone you meet, and yourself as well.”[/color] Max reached up to Leon, pinching his cheek, then sauntered over to the chairs to grab his and Sylvie’s coats.

[color=fc6603]”Leon? We’ll be leaving. I trust you to finish up.”[/color]

[color=C67C12]”Of course, sir. We’ll see you later on.”[/color] Leon replied, giving Max another hug.

Max let Leon cling for a second before his arms invited Cass into the embrace. It took a few seconds before Sylvie cleared her throat again and giggled slightly, so that only Trisha would hear it under her breath.
But before too long, the two were gone with a small cadre of cousins in tow. The box was clearing out before Lynette even finished what she was saying, leaving a whole open table along with a fresh bottle of wine for the four of them; five, as Gin hungrily stared at it. Casey could only laugh.

[color=577d06]”Cass, can you please hook our friend up?”[/color]

Gin’s age was [i]questionable[/i], but not one that had ever actually come up. But, it seemed like Casey knew enough to know she was old enough to drink.

[color=629c3f]”Oh, right, sorry! I didn’t realise you’d brought a glass over!”[/color] Cass laughed, leaning over to pour a glass for Gin before pouring herself a [i]third[/i] after the two she’d guzzled post toast. Honestly, she’d just gotten distracted and forgotten to pour for Gin… But that was a shit thing to say!

Trisha giggled softly, sipping her own wine. Thankfully she’d eaten enough before her siblings ruined her mood that this much wasn’t going to get her drunk. She was more giddy and lightheaded from the proposal than anything else. 

[color=629c3f]”Alright, show me the ring! Properly! I ain’t seen it yet, c’mon!”[/color] Cass demanded after finishing off half her newly poured glass in one gulp. She then leaned half her body over the table, gesturing to Trisha with one hand.

Trisha was more than happy to hold out her left hand and show it off. 

[color=629c3f]”Holy shit, it’s real nice! Suits you… real fucking delicate! Damn, I’d be scared of breaking it if I had something like that!”[/color] Cass grinned, leaning her face far closer than she had to when she could [i]enhance her vision magically[/i]. 
[color=629c3f]”Or losing it!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I won’t lose it. And I’m fairly certain a bullet would probably hit it and bounce right off.”[/color] Trisha glanced towards Casey for confirmation. Maybe it wasn’t that magical, but considering what Sylvie had done to a simple glass… It didn’t seem that farfetched. 

Casey instinctively brought his fingers up to wrap around the ring before laughing aloud and retracting his hands with a grin. He didn’t feel like there was any other response necessary. Besides, Gin was already excited enough to go off as she skittered closer to both ladies to admire the craftsmanship.

[color=9399b8]”If Mrs. Sylvie made it, you could huck it in a wood chipper and break the machine. One time, I saw a necklace Auntie Lynnie had on get sucked into an industrial fan, and it shredded the fan apart on contact. I don’t even know how you make shit like that so small.”[/color] she admitted, clinking her glass up against Cass’.

[color=629c3f]”Holy shit! That’s fucking insane!”[/color] Cass grinned at Gin, downing the rest of her wine as was customary after clinking. Putting it down left her with two free hands, fingers wiggling in Trisha’s hand’s direction. 

Trisha knew that finger wiggle and the glint in Cass’ eyes.
[color=d1b300]“No. You’re [i]not[/i] testing the strength of my [i]engagement ring[/i]. Go find your own unbreakable jewellery.”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Awwww! Not even a little?!”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Don’t even think about it.”[/color]

Cass pouted, turning to look up at Leon with big eyes. At the same time her phone was slipping out of her pocket.
[color=629c3f]”You don’t happen to have any jewellery your Nan made lying around, do you, Babe?”[/color] 

Trisha didn’t bother holding back her laugh, glancing at her own boyfriend- no, [i]fiance[/i]. 
[color=d1b300]“She’s like a child… I’m surprised she didn’t just ask for a [i]ring[/i] of her own just to try break it.”[/color]

Leon had plenty of jewelry, and pulled a rigid silver band off of his pinkie before sliding it off to Cass.


[color=C67C12]”Eat it for all I care. It’ll be fine out the other end.”[/color] he joked, tongue pressing out from between his lips with a smile.

[color=629c3f]”Don’t tempt me with a good time!”[/color] Cass cackled, grinning right back. She made as if she was going to swallow it whole, before just putting the band between her teeth as her jaw strengthened. It was a more effective test than crushing it, after all… She could snap through bones and stronger easily with her jaw and teeth imitating a Hyena’s. [i]Especially[/i] the more magic she got.

[color=629c3f]”Ih eally ohn’ ayh!”[/color] She mumbled through trying her best to bite through it.

But she wouldn’t let this new toy distract her from another mission she had. Thankfully Trisha hadn’t quite pulled back her hand yet… Cass was able to lean over the table and snap a quick photo of the ring. 
[color=629c3f]”Ahn oo!”[/color] 

[color=d1b300]“Can you not speak with a ring in your mouth?”[/color] Trisha managed to say before laughing at the ridiculousness of the statement. But Cass was really determined to get through it! It was… Kind of cute how into something she got, even breaking the unbreakable. Her passion for magic already far exceeding Trisha’s after such a short time with it. 

[color=629c3f]”Pah- Nope, I ain’t getting through it!”[/color] Cass spat it back out, holding the wet ring back out to Leon while texting with the other hand.
[color=629c3f]”I won’t swallow it and make you fish it outta my shit! That’d be- Oh! Diyah says, and I’m paraphrasing, the ring looks fucking awesome.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Oh, thanks- Wait, Diyah says what? [i]Nadiyah[/i]?”[/color] It took Trisha a moment to process before she was staring at Cass with wide eyes.
[color=d1b300]“You told Nadiyah?”[/color]

[color=629c3f]”Well, yeah, I had to tell someone! Or I would’ve exploded! And it couldn’t be Leon cause I thought he didn’t know!”[/color]

Trisha didn’t even know when Cass had the time to text someone from when she’d told her to now. They’d been together all morning and afternoon… Then Cass had been with Leon the whole time. But if Nadiyah knew, that probably meant everyone knew.

[color=629c3f]”You told Rey already, right!? Like you told me this morning? Cause Diyah, like, totally told everyone else.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I… No… I didn’t…”[/color] Trisha was at a loss for words, glancing from Cass to Casey helplessly. She should’ve expected it, really. She had expected it! She’d just been so focused on it not being shared between Cass and Leon she hadn’t thought about preventing her from telling anyone else… but she also really hadn’t thought she’d find the time!

Casey and Leon passed mirrored expressions of concern as they actively watched the cognitive dissonance in Trisha’s head hit the rev limiter. There was obviously nothing either of them could do. Leon wondered what her expression could possibly be begging in relation to the situation. Did she want him to put the genie back in the bottle? That wouldn’t be happening. Cass would always be a more-than-capable whirlwind of her own chaos that just kept spinning and spinning. 


[color=577d06]”That… Means… Plenty of time to, uh… Y’know, to prepare your statement for everyone! You can really let them all know how you feel without having- Aw, fuck… Cass! She’s been on me since we met about wanting to be the person to tell people what’s going on with her! At least the option, y’know!?”[/color] Casey frowned, chiding her like a parent would a child.

[color=629c3f]"Uh- Well-"[/color] Cass' own brain was spinning and stalling too now. Sure, alright, it was pretty obvious when it was said out loud that she shouldn't have! But she was just so fucking excited, there was no way she could keep a lid on it without throwing her phone in the sea. And her computer. Plus, Diyah had been asking after Trisha! About their Thanksgiving! 

[color=629c3f]"Maybe Diyah ain't told anyone? I… Really didn't mean to, honest! It just kinda came out- well was typed out- cause I was so fucking excited about it! Like, it took everything not to burst out about it verbally!"[/color]

Trisha covered her face with her hands, doing her best to take a deep breath. This was fine. It was Cass. She'd only told one of the few other people Trisha had to tell, who'd then almost definitely passed it onto the other two assuming they also knew. Maybe she hadn't, like Cass said. But she doubted it. 

[color=d1b300]“I hadn't figured out how to tell them yet."[/color] Trisha said quietly, mainly meaning Reyna and Diyah. Sal wouldn't question her so much about it, especially if Cass accepted it. But the other two… Reyna especially. She could already hear all the questions. Which is why she'd wanted to prepare and tell her! But really, the moment Cass knew her preparation time was limited. 

[color=629c3f]"I'm… really very sorry!"[/color] Cass shot up, torn between going around towards Trisha and ending up just bending over the table. 
[color=629c3f]"If it helps any, she seemed real happy about it! I mean everyone's met and liked Casey!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“That’s not… really the point…"[/color] Trisha frowned, continuing to breath deeply and leaning towards Casey. She didn't want to get actually upset at Cass, because she knew it wasn't malicious or anything. 
[color=d1b300]“When did you… even get time?"[/color]

[color=629c3f]"Oh, well, it ain't like I've been involved in all conversations and shit! Had some time here and there, cause it ain't like Leon's fucking joined to me or anything!"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“So you need a babysitter to not blab?"[/color] Trisha asked bluntly. It was still difficult to tell externally how she was taking it. She didn't seem [I]mad[/I] but she didn't seem particularly happy either. Her eyes closed for a moment, turning to Casey again.
[color=d1b300]“Maybe we should've prepared better. I was mostly worried her and Leon would tell each other…"[/color]

[color=C67C12]”I ain’t a rat, Trisha! Who would I tell? Sycamore? [i]As if![/i]”[/color] Leon frowned, not loving being superfluously lumped into a category he didn’t identify with. 

[color=577d06]”You’re a bit of a gossip.-”[/color] Casey shrugged, subtly sticking his tongue out at Leon to tease him in the middle of the otherwise frustrating situation.
[color=577d06]”-But, it’s a bit too late now, Baby Bee. You wanna go somewhere quiet and call people? Or, just gonna wait until tomorrow to look at things?”[/color] he turned his head back to Trisha.

[color=d1b300]“Cass… You'd tell Cass if she hadn't been here… Which we thought was going to be the case."[/color] Trisha clarified to Leon, taking herself out of her own upset for a moment. It gave her another moment to think. Casey was right that it was too late. They knew, and she just had to deal with that. 

She didn't want to deal with it right now. If they knew, what was waiting another day? Diyah and Reyna had probably already blown up her phone… but she could just ignore it. 
[color=d1b300]“Wait. I'll deal with it tomorrow. We've already dealt with enough tonight. It's not going to change anything."[/color]

[color=629c3f]"I'm [I]so[/i] sorry!"[/color] Cass repeated, still half bent over the table. 
[color=629c3f]"I know I fucked up."[/color]

Trisha looked at her, before just nodding. She didn't want to lie and say it was fine, because she [I]was[/I] upset about it. 

[color=d1b300]“At least I still have a person or two to tell myself."[/color] She said, trying to lighten her own mood up and the conversations. Her and Casey had just gotten engaged. She wanted to enjoy herself for the short while they stayed there before they went home.

Casey looked thoughtful for a moment before clearing his throat and miming plugging his ears to the two of them. Leon frowned but nodded, then cupped his hands around Cass’ ears. In return, Casey nodded and tucked his face and hand up to Trisha’s ear.

[color=577d06]”I’m not forcing you to do anything, but think about whether or not you want to sit here with this on your mind for another half-hour. Really consider it.”[/color] he whispered to her, courtesy in his heart.

Trisha frowned. Did she? Not really. But wasn't it just easier to sit with it? If she put it off she might be less upset when she actually had to deal with it. Or it'd just simmer and when she eventually did, she'd feel resentful towards Cass for telling everyone… She didn't want that. 

At least, Casey made her stop and think for a moment before she pushed it all down. 

[color=d1b300]“I… Don't want to. Let's go somewhere quiet, and call Reyna at least. She'll be the most… concerned…"[/color]

Casey hesitated for an incredibly brief moment as he imparted a reflection of his perception in the spot he was standing. Just in case. But, he turned to look at Leon and Cass with his head and smiled with a nod before taking Trisha by the hand and leading her down the stairs and around the other side of the box. It was a side with a serving bar, mostly meant for the box itself, but had been emptied out of supplies rapidly and abandoned an hour ago.

It had even been shuttered with a stretchy cloth, giving them some visual privacy along with the privacy of vacancy. 

[color=577d06]”You’re doing a great job, Baby, I can’t tell you how proud I am of you. I know it’s a lot right now; you’re gonna get through this.”[/color] he did his best to affirm her as he swung the little side door open for her to step in.

It didn't really feel like she was doing a great job, or that she was even going through a lot [I]right[/I] now. It was hard to not immediately reflect on how she just couldn't handle anything. Large events, close friends making careless mistakes… Dealing with a friend possibly questioning a relationship was something she'd done so many times before. 

Not that Rey or Diyah would be questioning the relationship itself… They liked Casey. Just the speed… as if that should matter to any of them. 

[color=d1b300]“I’m trying, thank you."[/color] Trisha managed to say quietly, rather than voicing her internal self doubts. She shuffled into the other side, finding a spot that seemed as good as any to stand. At least no one could see them.

She'd grabbed her bag on the way past, all of her things in there. One hand reached in for her phone, fingers brushing past Princess' plush exterior. It brought some comfort. 
[color=d1b300]“Is it alright if I put it on speaker? I think I'll find it easier if it's… us."[/color]

[color=577d06]”You can cam-call if you want, Trisha! Whatever helps you most, Babe: I just know you’ll feel better if you rip this bandage off right now. Diyah’s gonna be a good foil for you to speak through for now, rather than… Y’know, Cass doing what she did.”[/color] Casey gently guided.

Trisha half-smiled, a quiet, breathy laugh escaping. 
[color=d1b300]“[i]Cam-call[/i]... Nobody calls it that, Babe. Video call…”[/color] She leaned up to lightly kiss his cheek, getting some comfort from it herself- just knowing he was right there. 

[color=577d06]”Hey, you’re lucky I didn’t call it [i]satcom.[/i]”[/color] he giggled back at her, rubbing his hands up her arms.

She unlocked her phone, expecting a bombardment of messages- but there were just a couple from Nadiyah and Reyna, which she swiped away before even reading them. Easier to call blind than read something that would make her more anxious. Alright… Nadiyah first. It would be fine. 

It took a fair few rings until there was a click on the other side, and the call was picked up. There was an immediate burst of background noise, a mixture of loud voices in both English and Libyan Arabic. 

[color=757abd]"Didn’t expect you to call today- Let me move."[/color] Skipping all pleasantries, there was further shuffling as Nadiyah clearly walked somewhere less full of people.

[color=d1b300]“If it’s a bad time, we can call back. I know it’s Thanksgiving.”[/color]

[color=757abd]"No need. Thanksgiving is just an excuse to have the extended family around. It’s not like we [i]really[/i] celebrate it."[/color] Diyah replied neutrally as she found a quieter spot to sit. 
[color=757abd]"Wait, we?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Casey’s with me. Because, y’know…”[/color]

[color=757abd]"Cass told me he proposed and you accepted? You should’ve told her last, Trisha."[/color] Her tone was flat, but Trisha could see the dry smile that would normally come along with it. 
[color=757abd]"Are you worried I’m going to rip into her again, Casey? I’m not that brutal."[/color]

Casey wasn’t surprised about the brevity. He liked that about her when they met previously, so it was refreshing.

[color=577d06]”No, not at all. It’s been a rough day besides the good news, so we’re just sticking together at this point. On the driftwood trying not to freeze.”[/color] he smiled, and let his arms squeeze Trisha a little to affirm her further.

[color=757abd]"Make sure there’s enough room for both of you, then."[/color] Diyah laughed lowly. 

Trisha leaned into Casey, taking a deep breath as she tried to figure out what to say. Apologise for not telling her? Rant about Cass? Pretend it was all fine and she didn’t mind?
[color=d1b300]“I’m sorry you had to hear it from Cass. I planned to tell everyone else this week… But she’s at the Thanksgiving event. I didn’t expect her to have time to say.”[/color]

[color=757abd]”Of course she found time. It’s Cass. She’s texted us mid sex before. But it’s fine, she’s the one to blame. You can still tell everyone else this week anyway.”[/color]

Trisha’s head tilted, looking a bit confused.
[color=d1b300]“You didn’t tell them?”[/color]

[color=757abd]”Obviously. I’m not stupid. I know what Cass is like. Just be glad she told me and not Sal, because he would have told everyone else.”[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Oh. But Cass said you told everyone else.”[/color] 

[color=757abd]"She was just projecting her own guilty conscience onto me. There is a very real risk she’ll take that assumption and talk to them, though."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“She better not. Leon… Leon will stop her right?”[/color] Trisha asked Casey, sidetracked now she’d found out only one friend knew. She hadn’t actually gotten to the point- talking to Diyah about the engagement herself, seeing how she felt, dealing with that.

[color=577d06]”No, Leon’s not invasive like that. I’ll buzz him and he’ll make sure Cass knows.”[/color] Casey replied, letting White Lux ripple across the surface of the wooden platform behind them up to where Lelou’s red hot emotional field. Recognizing Casey’s signature, his message was automatically passed along to Leon, who threw an immediate image response.

Casey laughed aloud.


[color=577d06]”He’s got her phone. We’re all set.”[/color] he said, staring into the air dreamily as he took the chance to tune back into Lynette.

More hot air. She was laying the idea that this year was her last on thick. That [i]retirement[/i] was a beautiful thing, and would lead to better and brighter tomorrows. 

[color=757abd]"That’s the good thing about Cass… Knows when she fucked up."[/color] Diyah laughed on the other end of the line. 

Trisha nodded, glancing up at Casey with a thankful smile. But he was staring off at nothing… Maybe still sending mental messages to Leon? She took a deep breath, letting go the immediate flareup of irritation. Because he was still there with her. Paying enough attention, hopefully.

[color=d1b300]“So… What do you think, Diyah?”[/color]

[color=757abd]"That’s a very open ended question. About your engagement? You’re not going to give me a convincing speech first?"[/color] Diyah intoned drily, continuing before Trisha could say anything. 
[color=757abd]"I think it’s fast. But my parents met and got married within three months, and they’re still together. Maybe when you know someone is the one, that’s it. Not that I believe in that anyway. When do you plan to actually get married?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“A year and a half or so. Not next year, the year after.”[/color]

[color=757abd]"I see."[/color]

There was a lingering silence, and Trisha furrowed her brow. What did Diyah see? Did she think they might as well have not gotten engaged if it was going to be such a long one? Did she not approve?

[color=757abd]"I won’t lie and say I think it’s an amazing idea, but you’re both clearly happy about it. If it makes you more [i]confident[/i], then I understand. Casey?"[/color] Diyah’s tone shifted slightly, the slightly dry drawl growing more monotone. 
[color=757abd]"I’m not going to give you some speech. I’ll save that for Rey or Sal. I’d have to be blind to not see how much you love Trisha… And that was after only a few days. I hope that doesn’t change, but if it [i]ever[/i] does, don’t hurt her. And don’t let her push you away otherwise."[/color]

[color=d1b300]“I wouldn’t.”[/color] Trisha grumbled under her breath, not particularly happy that Diyah was even vaguely mentioning the deeper issues she had. It wasn’t like they ever talked about it, but of course such a close friend would figure some things out. 

[color=577d06]”Well, in all honesty Diyah, the only thing I can do is make sure everyone else sees that this was the right decision. And that means filling Trisha’s life with all the love and care I can. I’m looking forward to assuaging everyone’s doubts and fears.”[/color] Casey replied, trying not to seem like he was overly tender about the concept of getting grilled over this. 

It was natural that it’d happen, of course, but he thought about all the actual responsibilities he’d had in the Military. All the work he ended up doing that had [i]nothing[/i] to do with hurting people or being in immediate danger. All the interpersonal work, all the team exercises and then the eventual leading of men and women. Domestic and abroad…

It [i]almost[/i] hurt his feelings that people didn’t automatically trust him. That there wasn’t a shiny badge on his chest that gave immediate credence to his trust and authority. It was reductive to wonder what Diyah had done in her life that made her any better a judge of his character or their situation than anyone else. 
But these were all gut reactions. Feelings one shouldn’t dwell on, since there was never any real light at the end of the tunnel when it came to them. Better to burn and bury the ashes.

[color=577d06]”I will say, I see it as a declaration of commitment in any sense. I hope that when she looks down at the ring every day, she thinks about the future in the same way I do. That way, we move toward it together at the same pace.”[/color] He intoned, trying his best to roll past his brief moment of hurt.

[color=757abd]"I hope so too. You certainly know how to say the right things!"[/color]

As Diyah laughed slightly, Trisha tensed up a bit. It felt like a dig. Because many of her past partners had also known how to say the right things, especially around other people, only to turn out to be [i]awful[/i]. But Casey wasn’t like that.
[color=d1b300]“[i]He[/i]-”[/color]

[color=757abd]"And I know you mean it. Like I said, it was obvious when we met. Cass is singing your praises too. I’m glad that Trisha’s found someone willing to commit just like she is… And just as fast. Too fast, probably, but at least it’s equal this time."[/color]

Trisha let out a slight sigh, tension easing. Her left hand found his, her fingers threading through and squeezing gently.
[color=d1b300]“It is. He makes me feel more loved than anyone ever has. I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t feel it.”[/color]

[color=757abd]"Mm, I guess this is your first engagement… And last, I imagine. I’m happy for you both, much as it may not sound like it. That’s just my voice, I’m afraid."[/color]

[color=577d06]”It’s totally fine! Your read is [i]slightly[/i] off though. See, Cass is just being polite because she’s got Leon now. Doesn’t want to lose that.”[/color] he made sure to giggle audibly, doing his best to take what Diyah said at face value rather than looking too far into the pain train.

There was a pause for a moment, before Diyah burst into laughter.
[color=757abd]"Cass, being polite? To not lose a boyfriend? That’s hilarious. I don’t think Cass knows anything [i]but[/i] saying what she thinks. No way he isn’t used to it already."[/color]

Trisha laughed slightly too, managing to loosen up further. Nadiyah’s reaction had been nowhere near as bad as she expected. In fact, it had been quite positive. Sure, there was plenty to read into. But she’d expected to be told how awful an idea it was. This… wasn’t that. 
[color=d1b300]“Cass can be polite, I just don’t think she’d do that for Leon. She’s very [i]herself[/i] around him. That means she genuinely thinks you’re amazing, Casey. Which, obviously…”[/color]

[color=757abd]"Alright, I didn’t pick up the call to have to listen to you flirting. Just make sure I get a direct wedding invite, rather than finding out through her?"[/color]

[color=577d06]”Oh, you’ll be one of the first to know, I’ll make sure. Obviously, Trisha’ll make sure too. Not like she’d ever let anything like this happen again, I don’t think.”[/color] Casey patted her head.


Of course, it was going to be a long time coming, but he was dead serious about that at least. Because he [i]needed[/i] everyone who didn’t approve to kiss his ass when things turned out better than alright. He wanted beautiful children and a big plot of land. He wanted Trisha and her Bees. He wanted her anxiety, and all the panic. He needed the excitement in his life just as much as he needed the stability.

[color=577d06]”Just don’t forget you said that when you wind up on stage in the lineup with a fancy dress on.”[/color] he turned his eyes down to waggle his brows at Trisha with a smile.

Trisha smiled back at Casey, eyes creasing contentedly. She wanted to prove them wrong just like he did. She wanted to prove her own doubts wrong… Every step forward to believe he really wanted a future with her was a big one. 

[color=757abd]"Don’t worry, I won’t. I’ll gladly remember and admit to remembering and wear whatever fancy dress I have to. Sal’s the one who might complain about being stuffed in a dress, though."[/color] Nadiyah said from the other end, tone taking a slightly upward, joking lilt at the end. 

[color=d1b300]“Dresses aren’t mandatory.”[/color] Trisha intoned, nudging Casey lightly with her elbow. 

[color=757abd]"Shame. I was looking forward to it. But even if there’s no Sal in a dress involved, I look forward to the eventual wedding. And hearing about everything in between from our loud mouthed spy."[/color]

[color=577d06]”Look as forward to it as you like! Tonight, the objectives kind of become survival, so I'll personally save the daydreaming for tomorrow. Honestly, I'm just supremely grateful you answered. Because Sal was the next person on the call list, I bet, and she would've been so sad if she spilled it to him and realized he hadn't known. You're an info bottlenecking lifesaver.”[/color] Casey intoned as quickly and clearly as he could, not wanting to give too many opportunities for extending the conversation beyond necessity.

[color=757abd]"Don't give me too much credit."[/color] Diyah responded evenly. After a pause, she continued. 
[color=757abd]"Well, I'll leave you to surviving. I have to go survive my family myself. We'll speak more another time, Trisha?"[/color]

[color=d1b300]“Sure. Bye, Diyah."[/color]

[color=577d06]”Enjoy surviving! It’s a thrill!”[/color] 

Nadiyah hung up before Trisha had a chance to. Letting out a soft sigh of relief, she slipped her phone into her bag before turning around to properly hug into Casey. She pressed her face into his chest for a few moments, just breathing without saying anything. It could've been worse. She still had to deal with calling the others over the next few days… But at least she got to call them. 

After a little while, she pulled her head back to look up at him.
[color=d1b300]“Good thing we called her… Thank you for making me properly think about it."[/color]

[color=577d06]”As long as it was ultimately your decision. I’m happy it was a decent outcome, not some serious issue where everyone knew instantly. I guess we should be glad none of your friends are White Adepts.”[/color] Casey giggled, finally hugging Trisha tightly.

[color=577d06]”Let’s just take a breath in here. It’s quiet, isn’t it?”[/color] he smiled down at her, head tilting to gently press against hers.

Technically one of her friends [I]was[/I] a White Adept… but Reyna tended to combine it heavily with her Pink, and focused on people she could see or nearby rather than any long distance checking. Nothing like what Lynette did with spying…

[color=d1b300]“Mhm, I'm surprised… You wouldn't think there was a whole group of noisy people just round the corner."[/color] Trisha smiled back, slowly rubbing her nose against his. It was nice. Their own little bubble within all the chaos. Made her less inclined to flee as soon as they could. She still wanted to, but maybe she could tolerate talking to a few other people… It might be nice to speak with Mia, Hari and Ed before they left. Elise, maybe. Get any proper congratulations and discussion out of the way now so they could just exist together for a few days. 

[color=d1b300]“Is there magic on this cloth or something? Fancy sound proofing?"[/color] She asked with a soft giggle.

Casey rubbed his hand against it, smiling.
[color=577d06]”No such luck, Love. Just the silence of seclusion.”[/color]

Trisha laughed softly, smiling warmly up at him. 
[color=d1b300]“That’s fine too. Any quiet is good.”[/color] Her eyes creased happily, and she leaned up to kiss him.